Thread

1. Kim_Bruning · 1790344641 · focus · HN ↗

   So currently europe is exposed to russia-ukraine, us-iran, and shortly china-taiwan. This is not a great place to be in.

   1. sajithdilshan · 1790346355 · focus · HN ↗

      [dead]

      1. bpodgursky · 1790346620 · focus · HN ↗

         Sorry this is a crazy interpretation of events.

         Europe has 15x the GDP of Russia. If they were "hell bent" on militarily defeating Russia, they could have made even tiny sacrifices to the social welfare system, diverted industrial production to military aid, and drowned Ukraine in help. That was a very achievable goal, and they didn't do it.

         Instead, the vacillated on importing US natural gas, continued shutting down nuclear power plants, and paid Russia MORE CASH FOR OIL than they ended up giving Ukraine in military aid! They did not in fact, dedicate themselves to this war in any way shape or form.

         1. PorciiVorbesc · 1790346985 · focus · HN ↗

            > they could have made even tiny sacrifices to the social welfare system, diverted industrial production to military aid, and drowned Ukraine in help. That was a very achievable goal, and they didn't do it.

            We already did that. Welfare and funding to social services, elderly care, etc is significantly reduced and with higher bar to get than before 2022 where I live. Plus we're also paying the price in higher housing costs thanks to housing millions of Ukrainians.

            It's easy to want a higher reduction on welfare services when you're not the one needing them. It's easy to write cheques that other people have to cash.

            1. bpodgursky · 1790348015 · focus · HN ↗

               Are you for real? Look into France's pension situation. The median pensioner has HIGHER INCOME than the median working adult. And retirement was at 62!

               No, there have been absolutely no real cuts to elderly care, the UK's triple lock ensures that the situation gets monotonically worse until the system collapses.

               1. PorciiVorbesc · 1790374217 · focus · HN ↗

                  >Are you for real?

                  YES.

                  I don't live in France or the UK.

                  >No, there have been absolutely no real cuts to elderly care

                  Yeah they have. My city is short 30 million Euros on disability care this year despite increases in taxes. I (non retiree) now need to wait 6+ months for a surgery when it used to be 2, and pay from my taxes for money and weapons to Ukraine and housing to Ukrainian refugees in my city while they have nicer cars than me. I don't necessarily mind that per se, but I do mind being berated as if I'm not sacrificing enough. Please set an example and sacrifice yourself and your family for Ukraine before lecturing us.

                  1. Scoundreller · 1790472133 · focus · HN ↗

                     > because they leave them on UA plates

                     which EU country permits non-EU plates (and insurance?) indefinitely?

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