GOP veterans’ cuts

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GOP veterans’ cuts

As I watched the Republican National Convention, several times I heard exhortations that the United States should intervene in Iran and Syria, despite the fact our troops are stretched thin and worn out from more than a decade of multiple deployments.

Both Sen. John McCain and former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said the United States should be willing to flex its military muscle in those countries.




If the Republicans win this upcoming election, I hope they will reinstitute the draft, so that a relative handful of volunteers don’t shoulder the military burden for the entire nation.

I also hope the GOP will rethink its threat to reduce funding to the Veterans Administration, as that agency’s services are needed now more than at any time since


http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/opinion/54803493-82/2012-com-condoleezza-convention.html.csp

[Scuba]

1. We have a draft now, the "poverty draft".

[Victor_c3]

2. I wouldn't go that far

I know what you are trying to say, but that isn't exactly true. Yes, there probably aren't a lot of wealthy people serving but I'm pretty sure that there is a very healthy portion of the military that comes from the middle class.

As a former officer, I'd be willing to assert that almost all of the officer corps is solidly middle class in origins. As far as enlisted ranks goes, you probably have a higher portion of lower income people.

I loved the part in Michael Moore's movie "Farenheit 911" where he discusses the number of congress members who have a son serving in the military. I think in 2004, there was one member of congress who had a son who was serving in the military. It's easy to send people to war when you most likely never will have to know anyone who will have to directly deal with it.