You're kidding right? Next you'll say that you feed and clothed him as well. Why stop there; why not just say you've paid for every midshipmen, air force and army cadet? Oh wait, can't forget about the Coast Guard Academy and the Merchant Marine Academy either. There is a reason serving in the armed forces is called "selfish service." It is a calling to serve and less then 3% have answered or are currently answering that call. This call allows the other 97% to whine and/or speak freely. It sounds like you're the former.
Well.... who does pay for it?
Interesting that Obama suggested a civil force and the idea was treated like HitlerYouth.
Are you saying 3% is not enough? Are you suggesting mandatory or compulsory service like socialist Europe?
Why do most Americans join the Armed services? The enlisted do it for a job. Many enlisted come from economically weak areas of the country. The officers do it for the same, with better benefits. Aviators and Pilots do it because it is a kick as s job.
There was probably a patriotic calling after 9/11... (Pat Tillman). It would be interesting to know how many citizens with military experience participate in elections vs civilians.
In my town we had town and mayor elections. About 8% participated. I know I did. I am sure MIL personnel deployed have a high voter percentage, however, do military personnel both active duty and not, have a higher voter participation than civilians? I've seen no indication that they value their service and freedom anymore than civilian American citizens. A reference would be nice...
So it appears that you are saying your 3% have a greater voice or value, than the 97%. Can you explain how 3%>97%?
So if I asked you what have you done to preserve freedom, what would you response be?
Why? Because if it doesn't appease you then you can feel even better about marginalizing my equal say as a citizen? This of course goes back to 3>97. Your question should be "What have I done to exercise and promote democracy". For starters I can say that I participate in every citizen election. Which is greater than the average and possibly greater than the MIL personnel average.
Don't get me wrong, I respect the military, especially the personnel. In fun, the AF sucks and all AF pilots wish they were Navy pilots. But kidding aside, it seems the MIL personnel are told what, where, when, how, and why. Generally, there is no room for discussion or debate in the military. And that is the way it should be. The Military is not a democracy, nor should it be. (neither are corporations, but that is another thread) However, as seen on this message board, often the MIL guys tell civilians, (especially those civilians judged as "whiners and ungrateful") what, where, when, how and when. There has also been MIL guys telling MIL guys the what, where, when, etc....
The point... military professional life doesn't exactly re-enforce citizens for democracy. Most MIL guys make the transition well, but a few try and run the 3>97 playbook. Most citizens join the US Armed Forces for employment, training, education and professional development. (all great reasons). But since we aren't a military state or there is no congressional declaration of war, should a citizen be chided for not joining? At the end of the day doesn't each citizen have an equal voice? In addition, is our military healthy when the stakeholders question it? Or would our military be better off, if it was given unquestioned carte blanc?
