"46 years since Reunification." Topic

The Marshall plan was an act of self interest by the US. Money was loaned or given to the former Axis powers on condition that it be spent in the US.

Ergo – a kind of socialist subsidy for US industry as it retooled for peace.

The US had no need to do this post Korean war and would have had no need to do this after any 'victory' in VN.

There would have been SOME aid to the GVN, but it would have mostly been pocketed by the ludicrously corrupt people running it. Much of the aid already squandered during the fighting disappeared into secret overseas accounts.

Most ARVN units had numerous ghost soldiers – who existed only on paper and whose pay went into the pockets of their generals. Large quantities of US supplied weapons and rations were sold to the NLF and PAVN agents and used against Americans and their 'allies'.

Yes, by keeping Europe from going Communists was one of USA's "self interest". That along with rebuilding these former Axis Powers, to be self sufficient, and in turn being good Capitalists trading partners, etc. Mother Teresa didn't have the funds to help out. So the evil Capitalists had to do it. She would probably be the only one who would be without self interest … I think she is a Saint now ?

The US had no need to do this post Korean war

South Korea after the war had suffered a lot of damage to infrastructure, etc., etc. But with some US support they rebuilt and are now one of the top economic powers in the region. And even the World compared to many smaller European and Eastern European nations.

There would have been SOME aid to the GVN, but it would have mostly been pocketed by the ludicrously corrupt people running it. Much of the aid already squandered during the fighting disappeared into secret overseas accounts.

No surprise there … that goes on in many places where the US gives aid, e.g. Africa, the Mid East, Central & South America, etc. Again Mother Teresa didn't have the cash of hand …

Most ARVN units had numerous ghost soldiers – who existed only on paper and whose pay went into the pockets of their generals. Large quantities of US supplied weapons and rations were sold to the NLF and PAVN agents and used against Americans and their 'allies'.

Similar happened in Iraq and A'stan. But in most cases there they abandoned much of their equipment and ran. E.g. in 2014 when ISIS became a major threat in Iraq and many other places on the planet. The Iraqis abandoned 42 M1 MBTs, 52 M109 SPFA 155mm plus 2300 Hummers, etc.

Mother Teresa wouldn't have been able to help out here either …

Good allies are hard to find …

All keenly insightful political minds of the left should be migrating to North Korea nowadays – the only place on the planet where socialism, in its true elemental form, is being practiced.

B

Bingo !!👍👍! Oh yes, Bernie, AOC, Omar, Talib, some of BLM leadership, Antifa, etc., etc., would their pants. If they complain about the USA, they'd love North Korea !💔