Letter to the editor:

Why should U.S. pay for Europe’s defense?

John C. Lovelace, St. George, Utah

Fri, Nov 21, 2008 (2:03 a.m.)

With budget deficits approaching $1 trillion, how can the Congress of the United States continue to spend taxpayer money on such things as earmarks, questionable grants for studies no one reads, foreign aid to virtually every country in the world, subsidies to not grow crops and subsidies because someone is growing crops?

Is there no one in Congress with a modicum of fiscal responsibility?

Another question: How is building a missile defense system to protect the European continent from Iranian missiles relevant to U.S. national defense?

The United States taxpayer has for the past 60 years provided for the European continent while suffering constant slings and arrows of criticism about the way it is done. I suppose my question is: Why should I care about the defense of the European continent?

The European Union has more people and a larger GDP than the United States. Why should the United States taxpayer provide for European defense?

It is time the U.S. taxpayer got some relief. These trillion-dollar deficits have to stop. Congress, hear what the taxpayer is saying.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By uddeboda

11/21/08 at 6:14 a.m.

Suggest removal

This is a very good question. Why??

Perhaps its because the USA still wants to show its the greatest nation in the world, not only in Europe, DESPITE what it costs.

Pull your troops out, Im sure we are quite able to manage without you.
By mikegino

11/21/08 at 7 a.m.

Suggest removal

This is an issue upon which the right and left should find common ground. Europe, with the notable exception of the United Kingdom, is increasingly with the Russian orbit becasue of energy dependence. The future of North America is in Asia.
By johnevegas

11/21/08 at 7:20 a.m.

Suggest removal

"The future of North America is in Asia."

Actually only the west side of the San Andreas fault is sliding in that direction. The rest of us are stuck here.
By uddeboda

11/22/08 at 10:17 a.m.

Suggest removal

There are actually several countries in Europe that DO NOT rely on Russian energy