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by sixplusone 2493 days ago
> even though its territory isn't being threatened in any way

It isn't threatened because of its powerful military; also why Europeans can spend all that money on healthcare instead of defense: a benevolent democracy to provide safety. Not to mention it stokes the richest economy and innovation.
3 comments
close04 2493 days ago
Nothing is for free so benevolence is out of the question.

Payment comes in many forms. When a dictator on the other side of the world needs a "democracy" shot, or a country needs some additional sanctions for national security, the fact that European countries offer support makes the difference between greed/aggression and a "righteousness".

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sixplusone 2493 days ago
A surgeon gets paid to cure my illness ... therefore he can't be kind or have good will toward me? How about a non-volunteer firefighter risking his life?
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close04 2493 days ago
Benevolence is performing kind, charitable acts, from a desire to do good. It implies that you do not ask or expect payment in return. And it would intrinsically apply to people, not countries. A fireman might help you regardless of being paid or anything other than the desire to do good. But international diplomacy and politics leave no room for benevolence.

You're saying all the US leadership chain (the people with the authority so decide strategy) agreed to spend billions extra just as a charitable act for another continent. The only way I can take the best interpretation of this is to assume you're joking.

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sixplusone 2493 days ago
Benevolence does not imply anything about payment, but the interest in another's well-being.

http://www.importanceofphilosophy.com/Ethics_Benevolence.htm...

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jwr 2493 days ago
> It isn't threatened because of its powerful military

Seriously? You'd expect an invasion from Canada, or Mexico?

I am not against a powerful military, but it seems the US has gone way beyond that and mostly projects its force around the world, with poor results to show for everyone including the US.

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jdsully 2493 days ago
You’ll find the US already spends comparably per capita. They just get much less for the money.
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