[X] The US would not allow its sovereignty to be trampled on nor be a beggar power, it would win the war and defend its overseas territories on its own.
My opposition is more about how such a radical shift towards the Brits will make an obvious PR coup for our enemies. Long and Reed will absolutely wreck our ground game with the average citizen if we - the Federal Government - invite foreign troops onto US soil to kill American citizens - rebels and insurrectionists, yes, but American rebels and insurrectionists. I understand the need for realpolitik, for picking a side, but this move with Britain is too extreme for comfort. If we must be involved with the Entente, I can only ask that we accept Hull's offer as it is.Frankly speaking, what faction were we going to join besides the Entente? I know people in the thread have a moral objection to them, but this is not a Syndicalist quest, and the socialist powers are actively arming, funding, and supporting a revolution within our borders, in addition to the Germans. Allying with the Entente only makes sense in order to get back at both and finally garner some actual allies.
Well, I'd argue our counteroffer is actually better for propaganda than just allowing them to take New England. Instead of a vulture proving the US cannot defend itself, they're noble Allies against Red Revolution and Longist Usurpation. Sure, the Reds and Longists will cry foul, but to be blunt, they don't have a pot to piss in legitimacy wise. They lost the election, fair and square, their response? Murderous insurrection. The support they have for their revolution is mainly drawn on those who are already disaffected with the Government so much that a radical reordering is desired and there is a definite cap to the people who are thinking along those lines, and their rapidly approaching said cap.But this is not a question of ideology. The Federals coming to be subservient out to the British Crown of all things, will be a propaganda godsend to both our rivals. Note that our military is already bleeding men to Long's reactionaries and Reed's revolutionaries. Because coups succeed on momentum, openly subordinating the country to the Entente will deal a fatal blow to Olson's muscular Federalism. Our legitimacy is so shaky that this may well be catastrophic.
I'm afraid we must be the 'America #1!' cheerleader in this country and make our rivals seem like the ones who want to subjugate the country to foreign interests. We'll figure out post-war diplomacy after the war, right now our focus ought to be on clowning on the AUS and CSA.
I hardly see how any of the other factions have room to crow about foreign interference when they're be propped up by America's enemies abroad. And frankly speaking, I think Hull's offer would offer even worse optics - with the third option Canada's coming in as an ally to defend America, while with the second we're engaging in diplomatic chicanery to obfuscate our own obvious weakness.My opposition is more about how such a radical shift towards the Brits will make an obvious PR coup for our enemies. Long and Reed will absolutely wreck our ground game with the average citizen if we - the Federal Government - invite foreign troops onto US soil to kill American citizens - rebels and insurrectionists, yes, but American rebels and insurrectionists. I understand the need for realpolitik, for picking a side, but this move with Britain is too extreme for comfort. If we must be involved with the Entente, I can only ask that we accept Hull's offer as it is.
We've made efforts to appease the Left, but they weren't enough to satisfy them, so they resorted to opposing the will of the people. The Internationale butting in here is no better than the Entente's imperialism, which makes me suspect that the Internationale in this quest is nothing more than an alliance of Totalist powers. I would be willing to go for taking the original offer, but as of now, it's between refusing the deal (which is a bad idea and benefits the syndicalist forces) or the counteroffer, which is significantly more preferable than no deal. America and its democracy will know no peace so long as the syndicalist and monarchist forces will try to topple the American Center, and the best way to make them back off from their attempts is to show them their actions have consequences.
If you'll remember, Washington and the Continental Congress gladly took the aid of the Absolutist Catholic Monarchies of France and Spain, nations far more culturally and idealogically opposed to the US (theoretically, the lines are very fuzzy for France) than the current exile government, who are still a constitutional monarchy. We didn't get this letter from Eddy, but from King, the democratically elected prime minister. Yes, the Entente are revanchists who want to see Syndies hang from lamp posts, a description which more than adequately describes a large part of our base of support right now. I see no reason to be squeamish at that.So you're suggesting we... ally the monarchists to own the monarchists? Forgive me if I'm not following here, but I do believe that the Republic need not cow to any others. Washington's flag flies alone in it's quest for true democracy, we need not involve the genocidal British monarchy or the colonizing French.
And to say that because one side commits imperialism, that it is therefor justified that we ally with other imperialist powers is to be the greatest betrayal of our most sacred tenants, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. For what cause do we have to claim for our own, when we guarantee such rights for our own citizens, but allow the allies you seek to court murder to oppress millions?
Madness, tis what I believe, for the Republic can only stand alone as the bastion of democracy in this world of darkness. The torch of liberty will not be snuffed out, and certainly not for pragmatism.
As you so eloquently hinted at earlier and as I previously mentioned, Long and Reed are already in the process of inviting foreign troops onto US soil to kill Americans. We're not gonna look any worse off PR-wise than the others, and defections to Long and Reed are occurring despite said persons kowtowing to foreign interests-if anything, it's telling that people are defecting from an unbacked federal government to foreign-sponsored parties. I'd also question how radical this shift really is; much of our sabre-rattling was aimed at Germany and Japan and we were in the process of normalizing trade ties with the Entente. I'm not sure how much our waving the flag will galvanize our base, or even if it will galvanize our base to fight instead of making leadership look internationally isolated, delusional and (among powerbrokers) unwilling to do what it takes to win the war-something poisonous when powers of similar culture and a desire to intervene are right across the border, drafting protection plans that could trivially turn into unsanctioned occupation, and frankly terrifying when there's no recent history of decisive domestic triumph-by for example, being the victorious party in a world war-to echo in the face of decades worth of setbacks.My opposition is more about how such a radical shift towards the Brits will make an obvious PR coup for our enemies. Long and Reed will absolutely wreck our ground game with the average citizen if we - the Federal Government - invite foreign troops onto US soil to kill American citizens - rebels and insurrectionists, yes, but American rebels and insurrectionists. I understand the need for realpolitik, for picking a side, but this move with Britain is too extreme for comfort. If we must be involved with the Entente, I can only ask that we accept Hull's offer as it is.
If you'll remember, Washington and the Continental Congress gladly took the aid of the Absolutist Catholic Monarchies of France and Spain, nations far more culturally and idealogically opposed to the US (theoretically, the lines are very fuzzy for France) than the current exile government, who are still a constitutional monarchy. We didn't get this letter from Eddy, but from King, the democratically elected prime minister. Yes, the Entente are revanchists who want to see Syndies hang from lamp posts, a description which more than adequately describes a large part of our base of support right now. I see no reason to be squeamish at that.
1. Washington totally needed that support, without it, the US would not of been able to win the war.Bah, Washington lived in more desperate times, to claim that we exist in such times of peril is to be disingenuous. And even then, so what? The acts of Washington do not define our acts of today, we have a simple choice gentlemen, to stand as the last beacon of hope for democracy in this world, or siding with one side of the coin of tyranny.
I see no reason why we should support either the Entente nor the Internationale, which we both agree are one in the same of imperialist desires, one simply coating itself in red paint to justify itself. We should hang both sides of tyranny from the lampposts, something that would not happen were we to promise the congenially deformed former monarch so much as a single railcar to his deranged ambitions of revenge. He sends King in his stead as but a mere puppet, for might I remind you that it is the inbred Briton who sits and stews in his castle in Ottowa who picks the PM of his choosing, not the people who elect him directly.
People say that we will make a deal with the Devil if we ally with Canada of all people. We already make such deals already and its called Congress. We need a new shining light of International Order under American guidance and the first step is to win this civil war. We need international cooperation to march on the streets of Chicago and New Orleans because America's been infested by radicals that need to see reason at the end of a barrel. Once this is all over they will know the rage of an America ready for war.
I hardly see how any of the other factions have room to crow about foreign interference when they're be propped up by America's enemies abroad. And frankly speaking, I think Hull's offer would offer even worse optics - with the third option Canada's coming in as an ally to defend America, while with the second we're engaging in diplomatic chicanery to obfuscate our own obvious weakness.
My concern is the hearts and minds of the average American. If I'm Reed, I want an easy march through New England; if I'm Long, I want the South and Midwest to fall in line with me. What I'm most concerned about is how well the average American will react to me firing the first shot and using foreign volunteers and allies kill Americans on American soil in the name of my cause. If US government itself invites a foreign ally onto US soil to kill American citizens, that worry goes out the window: the lawfully elected Federals are doing it, so I can do it too!As you so eloquently hinted at earlier and as I previously mentioned, Long and Reed are already in the process of inviting foreign troops onto US soil to kill Americans. We're not gonna look any worse off PR-wise than the others, and defections to Long and Reed are occurring despite said persons kowtowing to foreign interests-if anything, it's telling that people are defecting from an unbacked federal government to foreign-sponsored parties. I'd also question how radical this shift really is; much of our sabre-rattling was aimed at Germany and Japan and we were in the process of normalizing trade ties with the Entente. I'm not sure how much our waving the flag will galvanize our base, or even if it will galvanize our base to fight instead of making leadership look internationally isolated, delusional and (among powerbrokers) unwilling to do what it takes to win the war-something poisonous when powers of similar culture and a desire to intervene are right across the border, drafting protection plans that could trivially turn into unsanctioned occupation.
I want to come back to the 'coups succeed on momentum' truism. Currently, the Feds seem to be folding in many places, and people may elect to just go along with Longists or the Red Army for the sake of not getting murked. In this way, inviting the Brits as peacekeepers is sufficient in that it will show that we are not as fragile as the recent string of misfortunes would show; a 'dominos stop falling' moment. I already described how bad the optics of inviting them as an offensive force will be in my opinion.Well, I'd argue our counteroffer is actually better for propaganda than just allowing them to take New England. Instead of a vulture proving the US cannot defend itself, they're noble Allies against Red Revolution and Longist Usurpation. Sure, the Reds and Longists will cry foul, but to be blunt, they don't have a pot to piss in legitimacy wise. They lost the election, fair and square, their response? Murderous insurrection. The support they have for their revolution is mainly drawn on those who are already disaffected with the Government so much that a radical reordering is desired and there is a definite cap to the people who are thinking along those lines, and their rapidly approaching said cap.
You say as the Reds consolidate the steel belt and New England unopposed and are able to use the industry and military might to crush the Republic. Would be nice to force the Reds onto the back foot right now, to reenforce New England, advance into Michigan and to fly attack sorties against Chicago and the like, right now. All this talk of Propaganda and optics, and future promises is all well and good, but at the end of the day, we need cold hard force. Canada can deliver that force, and keep the Reds pinned in the North East while we build up and advance from the West. If they are a joke as you say, well, then the Reds will take Ottowa and we don't have to deal with them any more.[X] The US would not allow its sovereignty to be trampled on nor be a beggar power, it would win the war and defend its overseas territories on its own.
The Entente are a joke and I want nothing to do with them. Agreeing to this deal is a humiliation, and agreeing to help them retake Europe is promising a pipe dream. We don't need the support of the last decrepit remnants of fallen empires to win this war.
Rood, people are talking about backstabbing Canada when we emerge a great power, I'm effortposting and you imply we're not dealing in the realest of politik?[X] The US would not allow its sovereignty to be trampled on nor be a beggar power, it would win the war and defend its overseas territories on its own.
People are talking abstract ideology, but let's talk realpolitik for a moment (itself an ideology but details).
Joining the Entente means committing to invading Europe, occupying Britain and France, and forgiving Britain (and likely France) for their WW1 debts. That's unacceptable. The Entente is a joke. They need American help to pull off any sort of invasion of Europe across the Atlantic Ocean. Maybe from North Africa if we're lucky and Nat France doesn't get invaded or collapse from revolts by the time we're in any shape to invade. We're writing a cheque we have no ability to cash in this decade, at least until the late 40s, by which point the war in Europe is over and Germany's won or Syndies did, and neither is an appealing prospect.
Forgiving the war debts is also a major issue. Canada technically doesn't owe us war debts, the United Kingdom does. The King's simply running Canada as his personal fiefdom until he can retake Britain, which means he's acting against its interests and thinking about Britain. America wants that money back. Debt is how you control other countries. It'd also make us look really bad to Americans that after a civil war, we need to rebuild so we can immediately send millions of men to die fighting a war against Britain and France to put the Entente back into power with literally negative benefit to us. We don't get access to their markets. They aren't in debt to us financially. They need American manpower to occupy the country because they're overthrowing a popular government that's ruled for 30+ years by that point.
Millions will die. American firepower is necessary to raze Europe if Germany doesn't do it for them. If Germany does occupy France or even Britain, then what? If the Entente and Pakt don't reach a deal, does Ottawa expect us to fight Germany for them next? And what if they do reach a deal? They'll jump ship and ditch us to cozy up with Germany to rebuild the European dominated imperial order. Then we're left holding the bag with nothing to show for it.
Also if Canada wants to invade America, I want them to be forced to fight the Feds and CSA to do it. They aren't getting free territory, manpower, or industry without a fight. Collapse Canada and drag it into the mess if possible.
I'd also add: it's not like we can't make them accrue new debt. We'll build their ships on the cheap, but I don't think anyone is suggesting we do it for free…Debt is a powerful tool, but is not the only measure of dependence.