[conception]

Europe does have its own defense, but Germany does not because of the whole Nazi thing. Also, strategically, the US has lots of valid reasons to be want to be the dominant military player in the area. We much rather be fighting a shooting war on that continent than ours. If you take a very shallow view, we are "paying for" or "subsidising" European defense, when in fact we are doing what we always do - engaging in what's best for us. The dollar cost is insignificant next to the value theater access and regional support.