You really wanna go this way?  Also, Canada has a military? Huh...(Yes I know Canada supplied more troops per population than blah blah in WW1, etc, but he did start this fight...so..onward!)

Americas army has screwed the world over enough times?  Yeah, sorry for stopping the USSR from conquering the world (In all seriousness...Europe taken by soviet tanks = the world back in the 1950s, etc).  Our bad.  I can't say our politicans haven't done some STUPID shit with our military, but in all seriousness again OP, f@ck you.

EDIT- Sorry, but stuff like this just pisses me off, especially after the good times I had 'discussing' such things when I lived in Canada (Queen's University in Kingston) for a few years.

I don't think America's military has screwed over the world. More often than not, America has gotten screwed over in its attempt to protect others from tyranny. How many countries have made allies of former enemies? Yet America has made allies of former WWII enemies. How many countries have invested in the rebuilding of enemy territory? America has.

America is not always in the right. Nobody is. In general, however, I would argue that America has tried to do what it thinks is right. And even if the politicans have not always been honorable, the military has usually been honorable.

Having a strong Military force for defensive capabilities is entirely wise in today's political climate, and the largest nations in the world all have well funded and regulated Militaries. Keep in mind that those same countries often neglect public, tax funded Health Care, Infrastructure and Schools to keep a well regulated army on 'Standby'. It's not a cheap endeavour, and will eat up the majority of funds a nation has at it's disposal. You'll also need to take into account that an Army with no war to fight is self-defeating and a massive burden on the nation - a War generates debt which in term keeps the financial wheels rolling and actually generates vast sums of money for the companies who provide either side of the conflict with the tools they need to fight, which is then injected back into the economy through the natural flow of the market. However, once you have a well standing Army, the pressure to use it will be immense both internationally and nationally - from political supporters who provide large amounts of money to campaigns and who provide thousands of jobs - so ask yourselves are you ready to get into that kind of situation?

I just got out the U.S. Army, not trying to toot my own horn but Ive served not only in Iraq but Asia as well. And Let me tell you something as a Grunt I did more humanitarion oriented missions then actual Combat related ones. the U.S. Military is not at all out to screw anyone over. If anything its a Red Cross with Guns. We have every right to defend ourselves. Its kindof messed up we have to carry loaded assault rifles and machine guns into a crowded school of iraqis but believe me the people were meaning to use those weapons on wont hesitate to blow up that entire school of children.

The U.S. Military has had its ups and downs. But its always had Honor and Duty at its core. And to be honest Its people like you that make me sick. Millions of American men and women have laid down their lives not just in the name of the U.S.A. but the Freedom of Europe, North Africa, The Pacific nations of Asia. And the nations of Iraq and Afganistan. You can talk all the S@#& about our politicians. Ill sit there and agree with you on that. But who are you to even stick your nose in the air at one of the Bravest Militaries this World has ever known. A Military that not only looks out for its own but has the heart to fight and die for those who dont have a voice in this world.

I think our military can use some upgrading, absolutely. Does it need to be bigger? I don't really think so, but better outfitted and more funding? Hell, yes.

And for those of you that want to bash the American military: as noted, it's the politicians deciding where they go and what they do. The people serving in the armed forces are some of the finest people you can ask for. The same applies for our Canadian forces as well. So let's stop talking smack about each other and realize we're all on the same side here and striving to do our best in this screwed up world.

Posts like this are pointless and inflammatory. When you're done being childish, feel free to make a real thread.

 Okay, i am deeply sorry that people thought i was insulting the USA's militray. I AM NOT. They are great people who are just trying to help. What i meant was that the politicans have screwed most of the world over, not the people who actually work for a living helping thousands of people each day. I am deeply sorry. Can we just forget that i accidently insulted the military. Please

Yes, we need more men, vehicles, ships and planes-

We need the Airborne Regiment back (don't talk about that Incident too- they were on experimental drugs, disipline was lax, and well, that damn kid went where he wasn't supposed to go...not to mention on the eve of the airborne break away, they were the top airborne troops in NATO, but yeah, that's the Liberals for 'ya)

We need less Generals too; it seems we got 1 General for every 15-20 Soldiers.

We also need to educate Canadians on the Army's accomplishments;  it seems everyone and thier mother only see Canadians in uniform from 1953- present, completely ignoring or forgetting That we ruled the battlefeidl from 1899-1953. (Yes i know I we did not rule ALL armies; but we did saved the empire 3 times in less than 50 years..hehehe  Plus, all those "Royal" Regiments (22ieme-Vindoos-RCR, RWR, RSR, and so on, didn't  gained thier Battle honours by being all nice and friendly and running away.))

The reason Costa Rica has no military is because they have South America, Central America, and North America (including Canada) as Allies. Anyone to touch Costa Rica instead of having to raise its own army would have the Army of Well over 30 countries to defend it.

No big. I guess I, for one, took one little statement and blew it out of perportion. I realize, upon re-reading your post that that was not your main point.

For what it's worth, I think Canada would do well to have a bigger military. It would only help us if North America was attacked.

This is my third OT post, sorry to the OP. I agree Costa Rica should carry their own wieght. But the reasoning for everyone coming to their defense wouldnt be to save the Costa Ricans (although that would be sold to the public and the Military as a good enough reason to defend them and at the end of it be a result of our intervention) Itll be because The U.S. doesnt want even more unstabibility in the region. Everything south of Canada is already a mess on so many different levels.