U.S. Military Bases｜米軍基地

(日本語の要約下)

U.S. military bases are a focal point for local and global social justice issues. Recently, military spending has also become an important domestic financial issue. Most lawmakers refuse to consider reforming defense spending, even though it accounts for one of the highest shares of the national deficit. Consider some of the financial and political implications of U.S. bases:


Video by RTAmerica.

The issues sparked by foreign bases are examined in this 2007 Alternet article (http://www.alternet.org/story/47998), reprinted from Chalmers Johnson's "Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic"(Metropolitan Books).

Some might object that the above media have a decided political bias. However, the spending debate about bases is beginning to enter into the mainstream. Representatives Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich are both calling for a reduction of foreign bases in Japan on financial grounds: http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/2-congressmen-call-for-pullout-of-u-s-forces-from-japan (Article reposted at http://peacephilosophy.blogspot.com/2011/02/kyodo-news-2-congressmen-us-troops-out.html...initially received it through their Tweet. Thanks Peace Philosophy Center and Twitter!) Although some might argue that Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul are fringe political figures, their attention on this issue indicates a consensus between the the far left and far right on military spending. Despite their rhetoric, classifying either of them as radical or reactionary is also mistaken, as they operate within the narrow line of electability in American national politics.

As the video indicates, foreign military bases are symbols of America's international power and influence. One can easily argue that the use of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Vietnam war, the Iraq war and current base issues are all examples of the USA flexing its military muscles on the world stage to advance its economic agenda. Anyone care to debate this assertion? Post comments! :)

Regardless of one's political allegiances, defense reform needs to be a major issue in the upcoming budget debates. Americans need to put pressure on the Obama administration and congress to take a serious look at our out-of-control military spending policies. See a future post on "efficiency" for more on making defense reform a political reality.

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（本当に下手な日本語で、ごめんなさい。読んで、直していただきたいです！）

米軍基地は国内外社会的正義の問題の焦点です。最近米軍予算は重大な国内財政でもあります。財政赤字の大部分は防衛予算が占めているにもかからわず、ほとんどの議員が米防衛予算の改変を考えていない。米軍基地の財政・政治的影響について考えてみましょう：


Video by RTAmerica.

Alternetよりこの問題の記事が2007に出ってきました。(http://www.alternet.org/story/47998), チャマーズ・ジョンサンより"Nemesis: The Last Days of the American Republic"(Metropolitan Books)復刻版.

上記のメディアは差別があるというと、二人のアメリカ国会議員は最近沖縄の米軍基地に反対することを言いました：http://www.japantoday.com/category/politics/view/2-congressmen-call-for-pullout-of-u-s-forces-from-japan この記事はカナダのPeace Philosophy Centerのブログで初めて読みました。（実はツィッターで記事のリンクを見ました。）この団体は日本語と英語で米軍基地など日米関係問題平和活動について記事をよく出っています。ありがとう！