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@Archangel1313
I don't agree with you at all. :ablobsmile: The MIC is a virus in the ecosystem. There is nothing to prevent investment in downstream & related industries anyway, without the MIC. Referring to them being productive as an excuse to justify the MIC is ignoring the massive overall LOSS to all military-driven & -affected economies.
That said, we as yet do not have a viable response to the literally (& *growing*) *capitalist* reflex for more war machines & more wars.🤷
@Archangel1313 @plyth
The problem with the arms industry generally is that while it contributes to an apparent "GDP" growth & makes billionaires of its shareholders, in terms of overall ROI for the people of the countries it "serves", it is zero-sum. There is NO ROI. Because arms' singular purpose is to destroy, not build.
The arms race (to the bottom) is ultimately the total failure of diplomacy: the wrong people are in charge. Everywhere.
@CAVOK
The US AND Russia AND Israel (and no doubt China) would be DELIGHTED to see Europe splintered. And Europeans should be made well aware of this!
It's unfortunate though that VdL & other Commissioners seem to be doing everything in their (extensive) power to encourage them!!! 🤔
@Eximius @DupaCycki
Which is why I presume this process is already ongoing but not publicly, allowing dissatisfaction with Brexit to grow some more before Rejoin becomes a published govt policy.
But yeah, it'll take decades anyway.
@avidamoeba @Beep
And yet their overall hourly productivity is higher than a lot of countries with longer hours & less vacation.
@No_Eponym @avidamoeba
You think people take less than is available & volunteer to work for free for the rest?
@Halcyon @Quittenbrot
What would you suggest? (Apart from cats & dogs, that aren't wild.)
(I would opt strongly for the essential honeybee.)