I would be greatful if any RT readers could explain to me how the US can afford (or at least pay for) its wars and its vast military machine / empire. With the US trillions of dollars in debt and allegedly on the verge of bankruptcy, where is the money coming from, and how long can it last?

By loaning further money and siphoning off the value of dollars held by people in US and abroad by printing more dollars. It of course isn't the only country which does this, particularly in the midst of the global recession but it does it more than any other industrialized country does. A weakened US dollar in turn decreases the real value of the debt while hopefully also shrinking the US trade deficit by making US goods more affordable abroad and foreign goods less valuable in the US; since the US imports so much, this might decrease living standards, and since the dollar is the international reserve currency there is a danger a collapse of it could have very strong repercussions. China's development is largely fueled by its protectionist currency devaluation which makes foreign goods expensive in China and Chinese goods cheap everywhere else. It therefore receives loads of foreign investment with little danger of foreign competition stifling its native industry. There is talk of the Federal Reserve (the central US bank) contracting the money supply if the economy gets back on its feet; rhetorically US politicians speak of cutting the budget deficit. But it seems as though they have basically put such financially responsible measures on hold while they deal with the other big issues of the day, some of which are arguably just as deserving of attention. I wouldn't count Afghanistan among them though. How long can the US can afford to maintain its military with its present size and sophistication? I don't think anyone can know for sure. The world has such a large stake in the US economy and currency that people in high places, outside of Iran, don't want to do things that would ruin the US. So long as they continue to loan the US money and to use the dollar in international exchange, the system can continue. Perhaps even long enough for the US to get back on its feet, though perhaps it lacks the pragmatic will to.

Global Capitalism is the Problem. Profit is the Center Piece of Capitalism. The Rules of the Capitalist System require over production to make a Profit. The more you produce, the more Fossil Fuel must burn to speed up the production line. The more Fossil fuel you burn the more you pollute the environment. The world is running out of Fossil Fuels, the Planet cannot replace raw material fast enough to keep the Production line going. “Globalization” is the Global Capitalist system. The WTO has allowed Global Capitalism, to have enormous power over governments around the World. Unless there is a competing Organization, that can provide some kind Balance this System Will Fail. The UN must be reformed in ways that allow the Voices of People, who live in third World Country to be heard. Then the Powers that be must really listen. The Poor of the world seek Social Justice. If any government, agrees to allow Foreign Multinational Corporations, to exploit its Resources, Workers must also Benefit from their Labor. How do you force these Corporations to the right thing? Capitalism is all about money. If you have no money, no one listens to you. The UN must be allowed to tax International Corporations directly, and not be required to except hand outs from rich Countries. The UN Security must authorize the UN to impose a 5% transaction on all Multinational Corporations. To repair the Damage caused by Globalization. The UN should License Multinational Corporations, these Corporations Should prove they serve everyone, not just the share holders. I voted For Obama, And I don't think hev listens to me.

It is time for the U. S. Congress to step up to the plate and perform their constitutional duty. The American congress should decide the outcome of these undeclared wars. America wins declared wars. Reluctant, politically correct, office holders do not serve the interest of America's warriors who are dying and bleeding in these wars. Do right by these young men and women. Declare this war to legitimize it or bring these young warriors home. When war is declared by the American congress it will boost the morale of the troops and remove all doubt about the American government's total commitment to winning the wars. If the American congress chooses not to give total commitment to the young worriers, then congress should declare "peace" and bring the young men and women home. Don't leave these young people in the "TRICK BAG". Reluctant leadership is not real leadership. Either give total commitment to the troops or end this "reluctant warring"..