To think the Republican Party need to wake up and find their spine?

[TooBigForMyBoots]

The Republican Party are responsible for President Trump. Given that they have a majority in both Houses and on the Supreme Court, they are the only ones who can prevent him further damaging the US and its citizens.

Their fear and appeasement of the bully Trump has only made him stronger, but we are where we are and can only go from here.

AIBU to think Republicans need to find their spine, guts and voice to stop appeasing/placating Trump and do their duty for the American people?

"Goodness of American hearts" or "American strategic interests"?

I'd say that it's very clearly the latter. That's fine, of course, NATO itself is/was a strategic alliance, but let's not pretend it was all down to altruism.

For the last 80 years, the US has favored world stability and soft power, now it's more interested in isolation and flexing it's military and economic might to extort other countries.

That's it's perogative, but obviously it means that most other countries are going to view the US as a threat and, generally, a force for evil.

Pretend? Really? Is that where you are going with this?
Only a fool would be shocked that Russia invaded Ukraine when everyone knew NATO was not to expand any further East. They all know.
As I said, either people are total fools or this was a deliberate move by people to instigate this situation.

Regardless, if you don't agree with Trump America then Europe can step up with money, equipment and soldiers and keep going with the war. No one is stopping them, European countries can fly out soldiers in a few days to Ukraine.
No need to continually talk about America. European countries get on with it - what's the problem?

No need to continually talk about America. European countries get on with it - what's the problem

fine. Go ahead and be isolationist. No skin off my nose. But when you are at war with Russia because Trump has had a Barney with his best bud Vlad, don’t expect the rest of the world to come to your support.

Good. We are not reliable allies, never have been, because we have a strong isolationist streak. George Washington, in his farewell speech to the nation, warned us against "entangling alliances." Thomas Jefferson reiterated that in his inauguration speech. The Constitution makes entering a treaty very difficult, requiring a 2/3 majority of the Senate to do so. It makes leaving treaties very easy. The US can leave NATO with only a 1 year notice to...the US. That's how the NATO treaty is written, because there is no way anything more stringent would ever have been approved by 2/3 of the Senate.

The last 80 years, where we expanded our military presence all over the world and expended our blood and treasure until we are 37 Trillion dollars in debt, is an anomaly. It took the Germans bombing our ships to get us into WW1 and Pearl Harbor to get us into WW2. Afghanistan really was the end fof warmongering for the majority of Americans. 20 years, thousands of US and allied forces dead, millions of Afghanis dead, and for what? So the Taliban could take over again and deny basic human rights to half their population?

We have a huge landmass protected by 2 oceans and the largest, best trained and best equipped military on the planet. We don't need allies. We have us.

Sadly they won't...they agree with him.

I am responding to the issue at hand which is asking why the republicans won’t stand up to Trump. It’s not name calling to point out that someone who publicly called Trump an idiot and reprehensible and who is now Trump’s vice president might actually not have principles. If you think someone is reprehensible you don’t support them - if you have principles.

Throughout history in wars contract/deals have been made regardless of being allies. This is absolutely nothing new. So European countries can get their money back with loan agreements from Ukraine but America can't. So what about Europe, is this just about the money or does this do it for free only apply to America? At the moment this only applies to America.

What strategic interest does Ukraine have for us? Be specific, because this retired military officer who did strategic planning can't come up with one.

There is nothing Ukraine has that the US doesn't have or can't get cheaper and easier elsewhere. And don't say minerals, because we have the 2nd largest proven reserves in the world and the technology to mine and refine them, which is the hardest part, because the dirty little secret is that "rare" earths aren't that rare. The earth's crust is full of them. It's just difficult to get them out of the soil and into usable form. Ukraine has nothing we need or want. We don't want or need bases there, we don't want or need them in NATO. But please do tell me what pressing strategic interest that Ukraine has for the US.

You're endlessly repeating yourself and I've already said I understand: you care about nothing but cash. I get it.

But please do tell me what pressing strategic interest that Ukraine has for the US

world peace. Jesus. The strategic interest that should have everyone working in the same direction. Stopping dictators from choosing to invade other countries willy nilly

The US doesn’t have an opposition system like we do. There’s no leader of the opposition, or shadow cabinet, or PMQs where the head of government gets held to account on a weekly basis.

There are congressional democratic leaders of course, but the executive sit outside congress and while in theory congress holds the executive to account in reality if the executive chooses to ignore them, they can.

Congress can force a government shutdown by refusing to sign off on money bills, but considering that the Treasury and IRS are now stuffed with Trump loyalists there’s no guarantee that would work anymore.

The checks and balances built into the constitution are toothless in reality.

That's the difference. When you know what you were supporting was not what you thought you were supporting and all they can offer up is bashing Trump with nothing solid to show their supporters/voters then of course people will start to see what is happening.

Hate him or live him, what DOGE is doing for America is unprecedented. Talk about waste and corruption. Why would anyone in earth be against saving $trillions. Why would any country want tens of millions of people illegally coming into their country. ILLEGALLY. You know that means 'against the law'. They are not American citizens but yet demand they have the same services, money etc as every American citizen. ILLEGAL. They are being sent back because they entered America ILLEGALLY.

As I said, love him or hate him, things are getting done for the America people. But all some can do is name call without any evidence that stands up at all. By all means, show the evidence and people can then debate instead of just name calling and emotional screaming ' its the end of America'. Really?

That completely makes sense in response to anything I’ve said. 👍

It's not me that cares about cash. I just would like to know why you think it is right that European countries get paid back and America doesn't. Not a difficult question to answer. Why the difference?

If you don't think America should have their money returned neither should the European countries. Is that not fair all round? Or are you biased with your hatred towards Trump America. I can't see any other explanation but feel free to say.

If money didn't matter all the European countries would keep the war going and spend spend spend on Ukraine? Why don't they? You can't blame America for European countries not sending more money and troops to help the Ukrainians, now, can you? You can't just pick on one country and say, they're bad when they have put in $billions to help Ukraine already.

The war has been going on for 3 years. Ukraine has put up a bold and brave fight. If you ask me who will gain more Ukrainian territory if the war continues, an unemotional thought out response would be Russia if it is left to the European countries to allow the war to continue.

Ukraine can keep fighting if that's what it wants to do, but more lives and territory will be lost if this goes on for longer.

Hopefully for Ukraine the European countries will put their money where their mouths are and send their soldiers if they are so for the lives of the people of Ukraine. America wants peace. If Ukraine doesn't, we'll, that's up to them to keep going as you don't need America - you have Europe. Some of your anger needs to go to Europe and why they don't care enough about Ukraine people if you say it's not about the money. Bottom line is - there is not a bottomless pit of money to hand over to Ukraine.

War stops, people stop dying. Ar continues, more people die. That's a choice that Ukraine has to make - it's not up to others, if, as you say, it has nothing to do with money.

The checks and balances built into the constitution are toothless in reality.

Is this the first time they've been tested @Mielikki?

America wants peace? Don't you know anything about American foreign policy?

There's no discussion here. You keep saying the same thing. America wants money. America wants money. America wants money.

I get it: America wants money.

Your bias is showing. You have no problem for the European countries to sign contracts to get their money back but you don't want America to. But scream, all you think of is money.
So what about the European countries. Does this apply to them as well? Absolutely hypocritical to the core, I must say. Intelligence goes out the window when you just think with mad emotions.

Wonder if Zelensky will swallow his pride and ask Trump for more money or will the European countries, as people think and say they are great friends/allies who support Zelensky, step up and take it all on. Well, they are your true allies, so true allies will go all out. Let's see if Europe does. Who needs America?

My bias is showing; you're the one parroting Putin and Trump. Are the US getting back the billions they gave to Israel?

Like fuck it was agreed

There were discussions around the reunification of Germany. With USSR

Which doesn't exist anymore

That's a Kremlin talking point and says all that needs to be said about your posts.

Nice try. Deflecting. America should be treated the same as the European countries. If you don't want this then rely solely on Europe as they are such great friends/allies of yours and will do anything for the Ukranians. Let's see if Europe will step up for Ukraine. Obviously Ukraine doesn't need America - it has Europe. Why does that anger you so? You should be overjoyed that you have Europe supporting the war if that's what you think is best and therefore no need to worry, at all whatsoever about America (as Trump is so bad! I mean, the only country that shouldn't ask for their money back - how dare he, he is not Europe?).

To answer the OP I don't think it's a case of finding their spines.

They voted for this shitshow

I wonder, though, how they square their "god fearing'" ways with the evil monsters in the White House.

I thought it was all about the money. Are America getting back the billions they gave to Israel?

The UK's recent loan won't cost Ukraine anything to repay. Any repayment would come from profits generated from sanctioned Russian assets. The financial burden will not fall on Ukraine's economy or it's citizens.

The mineral deal, while it could bring positives, is rather more exploitative and impacts Ukraine's economic sovereignty.

Are the Europeans going to rip up their loan agreements with Ukraine? I mean, they are so much more of a friend to Ukraine, why would they want their money returned. As you say, its not about the money, its about lives. Are they ripping them up?

What has Israel got to do with Ukraine v Russia war with Europe and America? Absolutely nothing at all whatsoever. Deflection at its finest. You have no intelligent answer to provide. Deflect, that's what people do when they know they have nothing. Israel, oh my! Shall we discuss spaceships, sure we can somehow relate this to the Ukraine v Russia war. How about Hawaii, I hear that's a nice place to holiday!

I think that they are trying to peel Russia off from China.
One of the worst outcomes for the US of the war has been the unity of the BRICS nations that threaten the US dollar being the world reserve.

I think that he's transactional and does deals, he sees war budgets as a waist of money and is trying to cut govenment debt.