Thomas Massie Says that American Taxpayers are Subsidizing the Military Defense of Europe

By
Jose Nino
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The Republican Party was traditionally a voice of foreign policy restraint throughout the 20th century. 

The administrations of Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge were renowned for not continuing with any efforts to make America an integral cog in the machine globalists wanted to build. Similarly, Dwight Eisenhower was not keen on turning the Korean War (1950-1953) into a perpetual affair. Richard Nixon pulled the US out of Vietnam and used strong diplomacy to push China away from the Soviet Union.

Even George W. Bush, while on the campaign trail, talked about pursuing a humble foreign policy. However, the terrorist attacks of 9/11 changed the entire game, with many politicians wanting to pursue quixotic nation-building ventures. Additionally, the neoconservative takeover of the GOP — a process decades in the making— ensured that hawkish foreign policy beliefs would become the norm in the GOP.

Even in the current Russo-Ukrainian war, Republicans continue to push for hawkish measures such as no-fly zones, increased military aid, and even sending troops to combat Russia during its invasion of Ukraine. 

Kentucky Congressman Thomas Massie has a different set of priorities for the GOP when it comes to foreign policy. He’s a staunch realist and non-interventionist. He recognizes that the US cannot police the world and that rich countries in Europe must be ready to assume their own defense functions. The days of free-riding from the US’s nuclear and military umbrella are over. 

At the Up From Chaos Conference that was hosted by American Moment and The American Conservative, Massie had choice words for European countries in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Massie tweeted:

“This notion that American taxpayers should be conscripted into the defense of Europe is ridiculous.” This was among the messages I delivered to a receptive crowd as a keynote speaker at @amconmag’s “Up From Chaos” foreign policy conference.

 

It’s amazing how the US still maintains a military presence in Europe in 2022. This part of the world is more than capable of defending itself. Europe is the land of knights, viking raiders, hussars, and some of the fiercest warriors throughout history. However, it has been domesticated after two devastating world wars in the 20th century.

It’s time for Europe to rise from its globalist stupor and re-assert itself as a major player on the world stage. The first step is to stop living off American largesse and take defense matters into its own hands. 

Let’s hope sober minds in Europe connect with Massie’s message and take steps towards creating a defense policy of strategic autonomy that no longer has it become a de facto welfare recipient of US taxpayers’ hard-earned money.