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Post by tankcommander on Dec 5, 2014 19:37:45 GMT -8
Throw away the foam finger, America.  The Chinese economy just overtook the United States economy to become the largest in the world. For the first time since Ulysses S. Grant was president, America is not the leading economic power on the planet. The International Monetary Fund recently released the latest numbers for the world economy. And when you measure national economic output in “real” terms of goods and services, China will this year produce $17.6 trillion — compared with $17.4 trillion for the U.S.A. As recently as 2000, we produced nearly three times as much as the Chinese. www.marketwatch.com/story/its-official-america-is-now-no-2-2014-12-04And, since economic power begets military power, how long will it be before we are #2 there too? Another proud accomplishment of the ObamaNation. |
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Post by Sailor on Dec 6, 2014 7:17:41 GMT -8
"And, since economic power begets military power, how long will it be before we are #2 there too?"
Not long TC, or so it appears. The PLA may be smaller than it used to be but is growing in technological sophistication and capability.
The PLAAF is acquiring more late generation combat aircraft and weapons, both from the Russians and domestic suppliers.
The PLAN in a few years at current construction rates will have more warships in every category except carriers than any other Navy in the world including the USN. They currently have 1 carrier which is being used for training and development, have laid down a 2nd carrier and have plans in hand for perhaps 2 more (my estimate.) The PLAN also has a sizable amphibious force (you don't hear much about that) with an eye to expanding that to the point where they can land a sizable force anywhere in their sphere of influence, including Taiwan.
India is quietly upgrading its military and Navy, not so much to face down Pakistan but to deter the PRC. The other smaller countries in Southeast Asia are also doing what they can to prepare for the PRC's inevitable moves. And we are linked by treaty to some of those countries.
Australia has just taken possession of HMAS Canberra, a "ski jump" type carrier. Now they are waiting on the F-35s for the air wing.
Japan has placed a "destroyer" in service that looks for all the world similar to a USN "Wasp" class big deck amphib. The full length deck will allow it to operate a large number of helos, tilt rotors and even F-35 just as are slated for our own LHA/LHD ships. The Japanese ships lack a ski-jump, but this allows them to get away with not calling this thing a "carrier." A ski jump wouldn't be hard to retrofit to this ship (or to ours for that matter.)
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Post by warrior1972 on Dec 6, 2014 9:49:58 GMT -8
It began a helluva lot farther back than the election of Barack Obama. He's done his share to contribute to it. But he sure as hell didn't start it.
The last time this country operated in the black was 1968, under Richard Nixon.
We are $18 trillion in debt, and we got there by spending our money like a drunk in a topless bar.
You're absolutely right. Economic power begets military power.
Western Europe has been cutting back their collective defense budget for years, dependent on us to provide for that defense. Japan has had an anti-war constitution since the end of World War II, and is only beginning to take serious action to rectify that, probably becuase they realize that
1) We might not always be there for them, and
2) They live in an extremely dangerous neighborhood.
And it can definitely be said that they enjoyed things when their defense expenditures were minimal while riding herd on the world's number two economy, leaving number one to fight their battles for them.
We, on the other hand, have been fighting "low-intensity" regional conflicts all over the planet, and trying to support a military that is "all-volunteer" with state of the art weapons systems, operating from bases all around the world, from A to V (Vietnam to Afghanistan) , and taking on everybody and his brother in the effort to mold the world as we see fit, just like every other superpower or empire before us, and just like those superpowers and/or empires, we are paying the price.
The Chinese and the Russians have been patient, and are now reaping the dividends of that patience.
And one last thing.
How old are our planes, tanks, and ships again?
For example...
When was the last Trident submarine or ICBM built?
How old is the M1 battletank?
When were the F-15, F-16, F-18 and A-10 designed?
And how much are their replacements going to cost (The F-35 and F-22 are excellent examples.)?
In the very near future, these will be going up against the latest and greatest that our enemies have to offer.
Again...
All of this is NOT the legacy of the Obama Adminstration alone. It's the legacy of colossal stupidity, and when it is finally documented, it will probably be in Russian and Chinese
God, I hope not.
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Post by tankcommander on Dec 9, 2014 8:18:35 GMT -8
It began a helluva lot farther back than the election of Barack Obama. He's done his share to contribute to it. But he sure as hell didn't start it. Of course you are right, but history will record it happened under his watch. We are $18 trillion in debt, and we got there by spending our money like a drunk in a topless bar. Even worse.... As someone who has been drunk in a topless bar I can tell you, unlike the government, I quit spending when I ran out of money.  You're absolutely right. Economic power begets military power. Yep, economics, and manufacturing. Money for R&D, and to fund what you come up with, and to produce more of the weapons systems you already have. Manufacturing ability to turn it all into reality. One day you're making wheels for rickshaws, then you re-tool a little bit, and a couple weeks later you're producing road wheels for tanks. |
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