Data Schmatta
"I get my morning truth from the Calgary Sun!!!"
Ask any accountant and they will tell you "numbers can be manipulated to tell you anything you want them to and the very same applies to pollsters. "Just show me the money and I'll deliver the numbers you want"
I read the article and they said exactly what I expected they would, no surprise they always do. They are pushing propagandi! It's like the Fraser Institute reports, you don't have to read the articles to know what they will conclude, just read the title and add "privatization" and you've digested their message.
Here are their Heritage Foundations.....
Highlights!
"This paper summarizes the main findings so far. The basic conclusion is that the tens of millions of U.S. troops deployed since 1950 have had a clear and positive impact in the countries where they have been welcome.
The presence of U.S. troops boosts economic growth in host countries. There is a positive unconditional relationship between troop deployments and growth, based on data from 94 countries, and there is also a positive condi*tional relationship that factors in other explana*tory variables like war, political stability, and initial gross domestic product (GDP) levels. For example, a deployment of 500,000 U.S. troops to a host country spread over five decades (10,000 per year) is associated with an increase of 1 percent annual GDP growth per capita.
The evidence rejects the hypothesis that the U.S. military is economically exploiting or harming nations where it is deployed. This affirms the non-imperial nature of U.S. deploy*ments in modern history.
We theorize that the mechanisms driving the troops-growth relationship involve a “security umbrella” effect and an “innovation diffusion” effect. Therefore, we believe that troops provide stability and make investors more willing to invest in a given country. Furthermore, U.S. troops bring with them the relatively successful political and economic ideas of the United States—ideas that host countries often choose to adopt.
We are skeptical that the troops-growth relationship can be exploited. Troop deployments are likely to be effective in enhancing growth only when founded upon an alliance with the host country and coupled with many intangi*bles like diplomatic efforts and cultural relationships.
Our models indicate that duration of U.S. troop deployments matters more for long-run economic growth than overall force strength. That is, in terms of economic growth, there are diminishing returns for every additional sol*dier deployed to a foreign country. In addition, the growth benefit of U.S. troop deployments grows stronger over time.
Summary Evidence: U.S. Troops Improve Economic Growth"
Lucky Sods!
Soooooo according to these fellas it's a good thing to have your country invaded by the good ole boys of the U.S. of A. At least from a G.D.P. standpoint they pump up the economy! "Sorry about the dead folks but weesa makin way for dat new Walmart experience you all been dreamin bout!"
Maybe we should invite them to invade the Maritimes?
