What if? What if the United States Decided ‘Enough Already!’

Sometimes it’s fun to be the contrarian. Especially when pitching an opposing view from my previous rambles about the U.S. and its obligation and determination to fix what is wrong with the world. So, what if the United States, the dominant and perhaps, to some, the menacing military and economic ‘hyper power’, decided enough was enough. What if the inward political and social pressures pushing and shaping the will of the American people were to finally gel into one cohesive and alarmingly agreeable decision?

Something akin to … ‘Dear World, we’re done, thank you very much!. Trying to fix the world’s issues in the name of our national security has done little for us anyway. It was a thankless job and frankly too many people said we did a crap job anyway. It’s yours Europe! Over to you China! Au revoir Middle-East! Terribly sorry Israel, we’re just too tired.’

Don’t get me wrong! I’m not saying I’d like this outcome, but as I wake up this morning - pour my coffee and contemplate the day’s challenges - I do wonder what the world will be like for my children! More of the same? Idle threats against the country perhaps not so idle? U.S. military still stretched too thin around the world, fixing the issues and tackling the problems whilst other nations sit back and let it all happen? To be frank and for the sake of my kid’s future - I might be tempted to say ‘No Thanks!’ to these ungrateful nations. Would you?

Technorati Tags: afghanistan, europe, iraq, politics, superpower, war on terror

There is a terrific and deeply engrossing book I pop in and out of - picking and choosing my chapters like the fickle man I am. The book, ‘What If?‘, asks military historians to imagine a world with alternative outcomes to major battles and wars. I enjoy(ed) it and perhaps you might too! It is a compelling read and raises a world of questions and possibilities for us all!

So for the sake of a slightly spicier breakfast tea and a different way to view the start of the day …
What if our polarized nation of red and blue politics turned purple?
What if Teddy Kennedy flew his private Jet into Reagan National and found Christmas had arrived on Capitol Hill! If Congress declared ‘We want to be just like Sweden!’ and the President said ‘Number Two, Make it So!’. Unlikely yes! but what if!?

Navy Seal What if the U.S. Naval Fleet was no longer obligated to park itself off the coast of Taiwan!? The U.S. Army pulled out of Seoul and the DMZ. The Yokosuka U.S. Naval Base in Japan was sold to Disney. The Filipinos were left to their own devices!

Heck, what if the Navy disbanded, scrapped and generally reduced the 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, Submarine Force, Naval Air Force, Naval Reserve and Naval Surfaces Forces into a fleet of terribly useful tug boats for purely commercial purposes, of course!? Think of the savings! The career opportunities!
Amy Seal Why stop there! Close down European Command; pull troops home from Germany, from the U.K., from Serbia. Give the Canadians some room and move NorthCom back to the U.S. Gently inform the Pacific Command that the Sushi is off the menu! Pull out of Southeast Asia, Bangladesh, Haiti, and Cuba. Does Castro even believe in Christmas?

My goodness! Think of the land-grab! The list of contractions, base closures and other impossible to imagine but equally compelling tax savings could go on for ever! $470.2 Billion Dollars was earmarked for the U.S. Department of Defense for 2006! That is more than 6 times the military budget of our nearest military competitor - China! Look how bloody naughty they are! Over 12 times the budget of our bestest buddy; the United Kingdom!. At only 4% of the U.S. GDP (2005) a little more than pocket change - but think of the uses! What the hell would Rev. Jesse Jackson do with ALL that money! I’d want to LIVE in the inner city! How about figuring a way to reduce that small debt item on the balance sheet? $8.8 Trillion Dollars! or 20% of the word’s total outstanding debt! Holy cow!

Obviously it’s not all about money and military might! Sometimes we might pretend it can include diplomacy, finding friends and influencing a united world body (should one exist!). Becoming the Sweden of the world; though with a little more economic muscle ($12 trillion Dollars purchasing power - over 20% of the world’s total GDP) would surely give those Europeans the chance to stretch their egos and allow them to firmly tie the reins of those naughty Apocalytpic Mares - Pestilence, War, Famine and Death! Can you imagine the eagerness of France and Spain to do some good in the world! France actually picking up a rifle and using it! To spread a little love!? How about Kum Ba Yah my Lord in twenty ‘official’ EU languages! What a pleasure to the ears and the soul. Do you think they’d sing in tune?

We’d certainly cure the problem of immigration in the U.S.! No more need for a border fence keeping illegals out of our blessed country. The highest taxed nation (Sweden with 51% of GDP!) spends the most money on the fun stuff! The stuff that makes us live longer, grow wiser, and generally be more pleasant to each other by working less! Health, Education, Living Standards.

I’m not even going to bother mentioning the impact of a Sweden-type U.S.A. on the Middle East! It’s a moot point as Europe will be doing the heavy lifting from now on. We can spend ‘hardly any earned’ tax dollars figuring alternative energy sources and better ways to visit the 400 national parks across these fine lush lands. By returning the formerly industrial heartland (who needs GM and Ford anyway!) [have you seen their stock recently?] back into wilderness … we can further promote and explore our inner Zen as the world looks on in jealousy.

Of course I’m not serious! I’m a major fan and advocate of the power of the Gun but I think even Hillary would have a tough time accepting such a fun Swedish paradise - but What If!?