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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think we cannot ‘stand up to the USA’

33 replies

Playingvideogames · 03/01/2026 18:29

Because we’ve defunded our military to such an extent over the last 30 years that they’re all that stands between us and Russia/China?

And to feel that everyone cheers on spending cuts to ‘bombs’ in favour of welfare/health but fail to realise these are the consequences?

OP posts:
Original poster
Playingvideogames · 03/01/2026 18:57

LilyCanna · 03/01/2026 18:41

‘Standing up’ is not just about weapons but also trade and finance. Obviously the UK would be stronger right now if we hadn’t left the EU…

I agree completely, I wish we had stayed in the EU as well.

I just feel like the public want us to simultaneously be a small military, high social spending country that simultaneously can stand up to enormous military powers and not rely on anyone else. It’s a fantasy.

OP posts:
JHound · 03/01/2026 18:57

It’s nothing to do with military spending (which has NOT been defunded in favour of the welfare state.

It’s simply because the USA is bigger and more powerful with a completely unstable leadership.

LilyCanna · 03/01/2026 18:41

‘Standing up’ is not just about weapons but also trade and finance. Obviously the UK would be stronger right now if we hadn’t left the EU…

Original poster
Playingvideogames · 03/01/2026 18:41

Ohthatsabitshit · 03/01/2026 18:40

Well I expect it was quite scary to “stand up” to Germany in WW2 but we did.

I didn’t say ‘because it’s too scary’

OP posts:
Ohthatsabitshit · 03/01/2026 18:40

Well I expect it was quite scary to “stand up” to Germany in WW2 but we did.

DoIdriveaVauxhallZafira · 03/01/2026 18:38

We absolutely must stand up to the USA, and to Russia. If we unite with the rest of Europe we have a good chance of success, but we must start funding our military properly immediately.

Original poster
Playingvideogames · 03/01/2026 18:35

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 03/01/2026 18:30

We are a little country compared to them, even if we had spent comparatively more on weapons we still couldn’t.

I also agree with this.

I would be interested to see the ‘stand up to Trump’ posters argue the practicalities of it on here.

OP posts:
TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 03/01/2026 18:30

We are a little country compared to them, even if we had spent comparatively more on weapons we still couldn’t.