A few thoughts:
Not advocating socialism here.
Not describing the people who do time in uniform here.
Just taking a look at how the US Armed Forces are funded and the attitudes that go with that.
I am thinking that when the nation started out, the military at the time was somewhat like a volunteer fire dept. They were big enough to take care of their own neighborhood and maybe help out the next town over.
No money needed to be raised to send troops to Afghanistan or to support NATO operations.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2015 ISSUE The Atlantic
by James Fallows
“T. X. Hammes, a retired Marine Corps colonel who has a doctorate in modern history from Oxford, told me that instead of applying critical judgment to military programs, or even regarding national defense as any kind of sacred duty, politicians have come to view it simply as a teat.”
“Many on Capitol Hill see the Pentagon with admirable simplicity,” he said: “It is a way of directing tax money to selected districts. It’s part of what they were elected to do.”
Always a big issue on Whidbey Island
July 16, 2019 Whidbey News-Times
Letter: AG’s lawsuit against Navy is a political spectacle
“We cannot imagine a more worthy cause than supporting the mission of Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, the largest employer within three counties. NAS Whidbey Island provides over 9,000 military and civilian jobs with a total economic activity generated in this area equalling nearly $1.04 billion. Jets truly do equal jobs.”
Christine Cribb Executive Director Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
The cash required to bring in these jobs and economic activity comes out of the pockets of taxpayers. It’s not based on any sort of voluntary exchange or honest demand for these services.
If small towns all across America had military jobs programs- would they question undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
More here:
Jobs Programs For Your Freedoms Update:
Free Entrance Days in the National Parks
This sounds like an idea from a capitalist society. Maybe a fast food place picks a certain day to offer free fries, etc. It’s been done before.
National Parks lands are paid for the same way as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Why no free days for undeclared/unwon wars that never end?
People will say that our system is based on capitalism and that is how a great deal of money is raised to fund DOD.
Capitalism:
If Amazon needs truck drivers to move product between warehouses and distribution centers, they contract with people and companies to get that done, all the way down into your neighborhood. Amazon doesn’t have the federal government force people to kick in tax money to pay for their trucks. If people don’t like Amazon, they are free to opt out on being a customer.
A Las Vegas casino needs a security team. The casino contracts with people and companies to set up an environment where their customers feel safe and comfortable to come and spend money. If you don’t like gambling, you are free to opt out on visiting any casino. The casino is not using the federal government to force you to pay for their operations.
May 22, 2020 The Future of Freedom Foundation
How About Permanently Closing Public Schools?
by Jacob G. Hornberger
“Any enterprise that depends on forcibly taking money from people to fund its operations has to be considered suspect.”
No longer somewhat like a volunteer fire dept.
U.S. service members are now stationed in 170+ countries overseas.
NATO was created after WWII to contain Soviet aggression. The cold war ended, but NATO remained in place.
Did the advantage of NATO allow the undeclared wars in Iraq or Afghanistan to be prevented, won or shut down?
Has NATO ever participated in a war declared by the US?
Why does the Dept. of Defense have such a poor track record for winning wars?
Why do we hear constant lies about freedom related to US military operations in distant lands?
Freedom from lies about freedom?
May 26th, 2020 Congressman Derek Kilmer
Honoring Our Heroes
“And because of that sacrifice and commitment, you and I are able to enjoy the freedoms we share as Americans.”
Congressman Kilmer tells us that wars are waged to defend our freedom.
Congressman Kilmer,
While the troops were deployed, federal law was signed prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to adults age 18-20.
Can you help us to understand the militarized version of freedom here?
December 21st 2019 KOMO News
Legal age to buy cigarettes, vapes raised to 21 nationwide
“Signed into law by President Donald Trump Friday as part of the new $1.4 trillion spending bill, a new measure prohibits the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21.”
Congressman Derek Kilmer:
May 26, 2019
Wars are for freedom and democracy.
Congressman Kilmer,
If wars are fought for democracy-how come women were not allowed full voting rights at the end of WWI?
Why the need for a 1965 Voting Rights Act if overseas military operations somehow secured voting rights?
Congressman Kilmer,
If The Troops defend American rights and freedoms, what becomes of those freedoms when the US leaves Syria, Lebanon, Somalia, Vietnam, Afghanistan, etc., without a victory?
1967
Did the Joint Chiefs of Staff send The Troops to safeguard American freedoms?
Was it the Viet Cong that set up laws in 16 US states to prohibit interracial marriage?
Jet Noise Made Them Free?
Legal marijuana, concealed carry of handguns, semi automatic rifle sales, federal minimum drinking age, sports betting, voting rights, bump stock ban, interracial marriage, gay marriage, tobacco sales, open container laws, etc.
None of these are linked in any way with The Joint Chiefs of Staff, The Troops, The Dept. of Defense or the outcome of military operations overseas.
As the decades of undeclared/unwon wars stack up (The Department of Defense track record goes back to 1949.) the greater the cultural urge to glorify people who do, or did time in uniform.
If there is an honest reason to send people away into decades of undeclared/unwon wars overseas let’s hear all about it.
Just Be Honest.
Stop with the glorification of undeclared/unwon wars in distant lands.
A Dept. of Defense that was nowhere to be found on 911.
We haven’t won a war since.
A Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949.
The US should maintain strong and ready military forces.
In some cases, the US Armed Forces provide for our physical security. That’s as good as it gets.
In terms of American rights and freedoms- The Dept. of Defense has no more say than the Dept. of Agriculture.
Nov 14, 2019 Stars and Stripes
Post-9/11 Wars Have Cost American Taxpayers $6.4 trillion, Study Finds
More here:
Unsustainable Military Spending
Maybe Get Away From The Bragging About Freedom?
Why Do Americans Celebrate Pretend Freedom and Independence on July 4th?
The US Armed Forces – A Giant Civil Rights Organization?
Growing Up In The Cold War Era
Men Died For the Right to Vote?
Right To Vote Linked To Military Operations/US Troops in Distant Lands?
Soviet-Style Militarized Pageantry Update
DOD Symbolism vs. Track Record
How Do The Troops Defend The Constitution?
Not asking about the oath of enlistment. Asking about what happens after the oath has been taken.
Find us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yeomalt
Photo-
A symbol of a Dept. of Defense with a truly poor track record for winning wars since DOD was established way back in 1949 and the lies about freedom that are used to promote it.
June 22, 2020 The Detroit News
