Egypt.

[Dannyell]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

I do not like the shortsighted viewpoints in the States and Canada.

Democracy is great, when the population is not enroute to supporting extremist Islamist parties.

What was once one of the most stable and "pro" west Muslim countries in the world, may now become governed by closeted Ahmadinejad supporters (well perhaps not, because he is Shia Muslim.)

Control over Egypt is ripe for the picking. All they need is a charismatic leader to start spewing Egyptian nationalism and anti American sentiments.

In the meantime (till perhaps September elections occur) the military (AKA Mubarak's political party) might devise a corrupt plan to ensure they have influence in the next ruling party.

Clearly, this is all based upon the idea that the Egyptians will easily be caught up in this new found national pride. The youths minds are like sponges ready to soak up what their so called next "democratically" elected party has to preach.

This is a selfish view. When asked the question how does Egypts "liberation" from a stable, safe, dictatorship help the rest of the world? The middle east? I think these events have possibly hindered progression in muslim nations.

I am all over the place here, I will leave off by saying that Egypts new found freedom would be great if we knew for sure that the next ruling regime would be truly democratic (unlikely) and have modern ideals, that make a point to separate religion and state (unlikely.)

that is not for anyone to say...so what if the new regime will be less friendly towards US...if Egyptians end up being better... for them it is all worth it.

Look at all the protests across mid east...most countries have US backed presidents...what exactly does that tell you...

[Kloogy]

It tells me that we keep sending Billions of dollars into a region for NOTHING. Send them not a single dime. Let them die or survive simply on what they can produce. I am tired of seeing this country spend money on other ungrateful citizens. People in our own country are losing their jobs, and homes. Let's take care of our own backyard.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Kloogy

It tells me that we keep sending Billions of dollars into a region for NOTHING. Send them not a single dime. Let them die or survive simply on what they can produce. I am tired of seeing this country spend money on other ungrateful citizens. People in our own country are losing their jobs, and homes. Let's take care of our own backyard.

What are you even talking about? Care to elaborate, because what you have said really makes no sense. It sounds like you are looking for a scapegoat for your own problems.

[Kloogy]

My own problems ? I sir, have zero problems. But our country is in the opposite. Many educated people have no jobs.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Kloogy

My own problems ? I sir, have zero problems. But our country is in the opposite. Many educated people have no jobs.

Yes you are correct. However I do not see where the pouring money into Egypt aspect comes along.

BTW the whole uproar in Tunisia and Egypt was sparked by young educated people who were unable to find work.

On another note, the United States has the highest external debt to other countries and institutions than any other single country in the world, by a long shot. Egypt's "line of credit" from other countries pales in comparison to the states.

The US Gov. public debt has quickly been on the rise since the 1980's. I mention that so we can already rule out the Obama blame game, or even Bush Jr, or even Clinton. Its an American tradition.

[Kloogy]

If we ceased sending money for one year, we could pay back all our external debt multiple times. Would you continue to hand over money to a neighbor who kept spitting in your face ? I wouldn't. I'm a big fan of taking care of my backyard, before looking to help others.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by [LEFT

Kloogy[/LEFT];804820]If we ceased sending money for one year, we could pay back all our external debt multiple times. Would you continue to hand over money to a neighbor who kept spitting in your face ? I wouldn't. I'm a big fan of taking care of my backyard, before looking to help others.

Well the issue is that the United States does not simply "hand money over." The States lends and invests in foreign countries and currencies. The US Gov. (and all others) do this because there is a NET BENIFIT to the common good of your country.

Now, unless you are talking about humanitarian aid, or some not for profit stuff, then yes the states is very generous. But if you ceased all humanitarian aid to the entire world and put that back to pay your governments own debt owed to I don't know say... China and Japan, you will have hardly made a dent. China does not mind, they understand that funding to a fro their countries is highly beneficial.

If you want to piss on a country, bitch about how much of your tax money is going to Israel.

And you still have not specifically stated how this relates to Egypt. I presume you are lumping Egypt into the middle east.

Are you aware of how much money Saudi pours into the US? Are you aware that the majority of US tax money that has been poured into the middle east has been used to fund your own MILITARY operations? I hope so.

[Kloogy]

Yeah, and if it weren't for American Military efforts and Money, the Saudis would have been taken over by Saddam just like he did with Kuwait. I went to college and consider myself fairly well versed on politics and foreign intrests. I rarely chime in on Political discussions because the Internet is full of a bunch of know it alls that can't hold an argument in person. Countless countries in the world owe their ass to the United States and the blood that has been shed by the men in our military. The latest being Iraq. Yet you won't find many people there that care. That's why going into that region was a big mistake. Certain kinds of people do not need democracy. They operate better under dictatorships that guide them on what they can and can't do. They are just happy to have a roof and a meal. Your own country has benefited from us. I can't remember too many cases where a foreign country has stepped in to help us. If anything they celebrate when America is attacked and has disastrous things happen. My money, as well as that of every American fuels this world's economy. I'm not in the mood to give an economic discourse this late at night. The reason I brought this up in the case of Egypt is , we already hear how the US is responsible for keeping Mubarak in power because he was an Allie. I can also tell your anti semetic sentiment on Israel. Nothing would make people like you happier than seeing them erased from the map.

[TheGodfather]

Originally Posted by Kloogy

Yeah, and if it weren't for American Military efforts and Money, the Saudis would have been taken over by Saddam just like he did with Kuwait. I went to college and consider myself fairly well versed on politics and foreign intrests. I rarely chime in on Political discussions because the Internet is full of a bunch of know it alls that can't hold an argument in person. Countless countries in the world owe their ass to the United States and the blood that has been shed by the men in our military. The latest being Iraq. Yet you won't find many people there that care. That's why going into that region was a big mistake. Certain kinds of people do not need democracy. They operate better under dictatorships that guide them on what they can and can't do. They are just happy to have a roof and a meal. Your own country has benefited from us. I can't remember too many cases where a foreign country has stepped in to help us. If anything they celebrate when America is attacked and has disastrous things happen. My money, as well as that of every American fuels this world's economy. I'm not in the mood to give an economic discourse this late at night. The reason I brought this up in the case of Egypt is , we already hear how the US is responsible for keeping Mubarak in power because he was an Allie. I can also tell your anti semetic sentiment on Israel. Nothing would make people like you happier than seeing them erased from the map.

Very sad.

I suggest you continue to not chime in on political discussions in the future. You obviously can not handle it without resorting to senseless generalizations about your version of history and facts.

Your last comment is stunningly ridiculous.

[Naz24]

Originally Posted by TheGodfather

Very sad.

I suggest you continue to not chime in on political discussions in the future. You obviously can not handle it without resorting to senseless generalizations about your version of history and facts.

Your last comment is stunningly ridiculous.

Take a step back everyone, were all friends here.

The US is in a very difficult position, we are far into debt. I think what kloogy is trying to say is that it's very difficult for American citizens to understand why we invest so much money into other countries. Especially in light of the recent economic downturn, and us approaching our credit limit. There's obviously a reason beyond what we have mentioned here, and beyond public knowledge-- I wish I knew what it was--but I really don't.

It's similar to how I feel sometimes at school. My parents have to dish out full tuition, while others get a free ride off of my $. That doesn't bother me at all, what does bother me is when those "free" tuition kids decide to drink themselves silly every night and not be thankful for the full tuition folks. Just like how we are supporting other countries, and often times feel unappreciated.

It's unfortunate that we have gotten to this point, but does anyone really know a good solution to our problems? Probably not. This sucks...