Frank,
Unfortunately, I can think of much more to support your predictions than to
counter them. Oh, for a frontier to escape to....
All,
Military not meeting enlistment and retention goals.
In my own small way, I am part of the reason that fewer people volunteer for military service. I ensured my daughters were fully aware that:
1) Promises made by our government (and its military representatives) are every bit as trustworthy as the promises made to the American Indians. I believe it was Chief Red Cloud who said, “The white man made us many promises, more than we could count. He kept but one. He said he would take our land, and he took it.”
- Promised free medical care, dental care, eyeglasses, etc. are benefits rarely
obtainable. The $460/yr “free” medical care is so regimented and time-consuming
that it is virtually impossible for a working person to receive promised benefits. It is more useful for “catastrophic” coverage than routine medical care. Most working retirees in my area use the medical plans provided by their employers. Usually, only truly “retired” retirees have the time required to receive their “benefits”. Dental care and eyeglasses are virtually impossible to obtain for most retirees.
- Military retiree pay is pegged at several percentage points below the Consumer
Price Index, which (in turn) is rigged NOT to show true inflation.
- Any difference in prices between Commissary/BX/PX prices and the prices at
K-Mart/Wal-Mart/etc. is negated by the losses and expenses involved with every
PCS (Permanent Change of Station) move.
- There’s more, but I must remember my blood pressure.
2) American troops are used as chattel, as cannon fodder, with the first goal of
furthering the political aspirations of individuals, political parties in various
governments, and the inexorable march toward a world ruling body which will negate our Constitution and American way of life. Fighting for democracy, for “nation-building”, or to “stop the killing” is often, perhaps usually, a mere subterfuge.
3) The American military may be called upon by our perfidious (odiferous, traitorous) government to subjugate the American people by force.
4) So, what once was a honorable calling is now corrupted by the power hungry.
“It’s Johnny this and Johnny that.... but Johnny ain’t no bloody fool.”
And many youngsters just don’t want, to die for others’ “World rule”.
“Cause war is rough, you must be tough, to kill and burn and pillage.
Our youngsters ain’t such bloody fools, to believe, “It takes a village.”
When my daughters were graduated from high school, they were plagued with calls from military recruiters. Their most common retort was, “After what you’ve done to my Dad? You’ve got to be kidding.” If you MUST work for a bunch of liars, it’s better to work as a civilian so you can walk out when you begin to puke.
Mencken said something to the effect, “It is honorable for men to die for a cause.
How much more honorable it would be if the cause were also honorable.” (I don’t
have the exact quote...)
I understand some people are successful in the military. Well, the higher-up
positions must be filled by someone. I also understand some people win lotteries. They’re both a sucker bet.
I’ll promise you this: If you are a person of integrity, a person who addresses the
stated goals of your service branch and respects the true needs of your
subordinates and their families, you have little potential for real advancement in the
military. If you want to get ahead in the military, you must make your bosses look
good, never rock the boat, never point out problems or fallacies in the status quo;
you must “go with the program”, have a “Can Do!” attitude, etc. The military,
from the top down, is ruled by “careerists” who do the right thing for themselves
and address military goals ONLY when it suits their careers. I’ve seen it too many
times to judge otherwise. Even with Colin Powell - a gentleman whom I otherwise
truly admire and respect. (See “My American Journey” by Gen. Powell.)
The military is a travesty to the many men and women who serve with integrity, honor, and valor. Our military needs:
1) A Gen. Patton, Gen. LeMay, or someone similar, as the head of the military.
2) A President who understands the needs, abilities, and proper use of a military.
3) A Congress who will fund a military properly.
4) A nation that demands, DEMANDS the military be re-conditioned thoroughly and used ONLY when American needs are involved. (Not "interests", but "needs"!)
Will we get all this? "Never happen, G.I.!"
It’s the status quo. It’s deja vu all over again.
Vote - for a change.
[This message has been edited by Dennis (edited June 16, 1999).]