At some point it is the media's responsibility to explain how NATO works and what it REALLY means

[nikibatts]

when Trump says the other countries are not "paying their fair share." There is no "paying their fair share," The other countries just prefer to feed their people before putting their money into the military. The 2% that is talked about and often leaves the impression that the countries owe money to NATO to the tune of 2% of their GDP. What it really means is that the countries need to spend more of their wealth on their own military up to 2% of their respective GDPs.

First we have the largest GDP in NATO. Second, they do not owe cash to NATO. Third, it is really our military-insudtrial-complex that LOVES to build and sell weapons. We would love to spend and spend more on the military and not feed our people. The media does a piss poor job of really letting people know how NATO works. The GOP know this and they capitalize on the ignorance of their base and ignorance of others to keep the false talking point alive.

[enough]

1. Good brief article today from Josh Marshall on this subject.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/dont-forget-trump-is-brazenly-lying-about-nato