My nephew wants to join the military. I think only suckers agree to fight Republican wars. Advice?

[Anonymous]

My nephew is from a red area.
He is thinking about joining the military. He (and his Mom) think that this a good way to improve himself.

But we’ve seen what’s happened with our military over the past two decades: a useless war in Iraq, boosted by neocons and for profit of guys like Cheney and Erik Prince. Inability to rebuild Afghanistan, which Bush failed to have an endgame for and got us stuck in it for decades. An endless war on terror initiatiated by the same for-profit republicans, that has created terrorists abroad who hate us. (To be fair, fighting terror is important. But sacrificing our values with Guantanamo, CIA-endorsed torture with no accountability, and unConstitutional domestic wiretaps without following the correct process were major errors.)

In all these misguided conflicts, thousands of American lives were wasted. Truly wasted, though no politician will say so. And the people killed are largely from red states. People in cities largely saw through Bush’s lies and stayed out of fighting. Turns out: they were right.

Now a war in Iran looms. Why would anyone agree to fight that stupid, useless war, run by idiots like Bolton who haven’t learned the mistakes of Iraq?

I have hinted at all this to my nephew. But I’m worried about him. I want to say “Don’t be a sucker. If there is a war in Iran created by the GOP, you’ll fight it and you’ll be throwing away your life for no reason.”

Don’t tell me to stay out of it. I’m close to him and to his dad. The only question is, how do I reach him with the truth? What’s the best strategy to break through the lies he hears all around him in he place he lives? What’s the best approach?

[Anonymous]

Members of Congress know the truth too.
Very few Congress members, from both sides of the aisle, have relatives in the military.

This is very different than during Vietnam and WWII, when the sacrifice was much more shared between rich and poor.

[Anonymous]

Say all you have said here. Your nephew then has all the info he needs to make the best choice for him, which may very well be to join the military. Not your decision or child.

[Anonymous]

Another guy who thinks his thoughts and opinions are "the truth"...deliver me!

I hope someone raised your nephew to think for himself and to consider the opinions of others he respects (may be you, maybe not) before making a thoughtful and informed decision.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Members of Congress know the truth too.
Very few Congress members, from both sides of the aisle, have relatives in the military.

This is very different than during Vietnam and WWII, when the sacrifice was much more shared between rich and poor.

My husband is a retiree. The military was his only option. It gave him a job and food and a roof over his head and he eventually got his degree. If you are too selfish to pay for college and just want to rant, then its none of your business. You know nothing about the military and it sounds like its his only option as his relatives are too selfish to help him.

[Anonymous]

Some people like the military lifestyle. Some
People are too poor to afford college. Keep your political ideas out of it. Ask him why he wants to join the military.

I know dentists and doctors and lawyers who are in the military. I also know guys who were privates , got out after 4 years and are now 50 and have basically done nothing but dead end jobs. It’s what you make it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Members of Congress know the truth too.
Very few Congress members, from both sides of the aisle, have relatives in the military.

This is very different than during Vietnam and WWII, when the sacrifice was much more shared between rich and poor.

My husband is a retiree. The military was his only option. It gave him a job and food and a roof over his head and he eventually got his degree. If you are too selfish to pay for college and just want to rant, then its none of your business. You know nothing about the military and it sounds like its his only option as his relatives are too selfish to help him.

I went to school with a ton of kids who joined the military because it was their only option.
Some of them were killed or maimed. Those casualties were a waste.
The right solution is to help poor people get a good education and job, not throw their lives at mistaken wars.

I still feel sorry for the veterans who served with good intentions, and lost their lives and health for no reason

[Anonymous]

People that need money and have no money or bad grades or no skills, and no support, often join the military. I know a lot of people and kids who are in academies, and who served regularly and are not getting their degrees paid for. Rather than talk out of your...... how about you ask why he wants to enlist? Many like that life style too. Do you think US aggression around the world is right or justified? No, absolutely not, but I understand people enlisting, having health insurance, some community college or college paid for, or just having a salary. If he is a brilliant student with scholarships offered left and right, then I might wonder why. If he is not, this is a good way to start adult life. Much better than living in his parent's house will 40.

[Anonymous]

My daughter commissioned last week. Proudest day of my entire life. God bless the USA.

[Anonymous]

“Keep your political ideas out of it”????

What are you talking about?

Politics controls the military. There are lives at stake with politics, and never more clearly than on military matters.

It would be a tragedy if you kept your political ideas out of it. Politics is all about our lives.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter commissioned last week. Proudest day of my entire life. God bless the USA.

PP here. I would have been equally proud if she had enlisted.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
I said “Republican wars”, but I should have said “misguided wars that were never honestly discussed with the American people.”

Our country needs a strong military. But why would anyone choose to join a military that fights wars based on lies? Vietnam was bad enough; at least rich peoples’ kids fought in that one. But Iraq? Now maybe Iran?

I would have a much different opinion if Republicans had come out after 2008 and said “Iraq was a mistake. Thousands of Americans died for no reason. And trillions were wasted that could have improved our bridges, education, and roads. And now we are going to have a full national discussion of how we made that mistake and how to never make that mistake again.”

But now we are sliding towards another war in Iran for no reason. No one should sign up to support that.

[Anonymous]

Coast guard

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.
I said “Republican wars”, but I should have said “misguided wars that were never honestly discussed with the American people.”

Our country needs a strong military. But why would anyone choose to join a military that fights wars based on lies? Vietnam was bad enough; at least rich peoples’ kids fought in that one. But Iraq? Now maybe Iran?

I would have a much different opinion if Republicans had come out after 2008 and said “Iraq was a mistake. Thousands of Americans died for no reason. And trillions were wasted that could have improved our bridges, education, and roads. And now we are going to have a full national discussion of how we made that mistake and how to never make that mistake again.”

But now we are sliding towards another war in Iran for no reason. No one should sign up to support that.

You are contradicting yourself. Grow up. The government cannot tell us everything and needs to try to keep us safe. Do you not get it. They do what they can based off the information they have and they aren't telling us the entire story.

Since you want something different, why not pay for it? Maybe they cannot afford it. Military is very good for many people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Members of Congress know the truth too.
Very few Congress members, from both sides of the aisle, have relatives in the military.

This is very different than during Vietnam and WWII, when the sacrifice was much more shared between rich and poor.

My husband is a retiree. The military was his only option. It gave him a job and food and a roof over his head and he eventually got his degree. If you are too selfish to pay for college and just want to rant, then its none of your business. You know nothing about the military and it sounds like its his only option as his relatives are too selfish to help him.

I went to school with a ton of kids who joined the military because it was their only option.
Some of them were killed or maimed. Those casualties were a waste.
The right solution is to help poor people get a good education and job, not throw their lives at mistaken wars.

I still feel sorry for the veterans who served with good intentions, and lost their lives and health for no reason

That is the risk you take but there are also many jobs that are not front lines and put you at risk. Someone has to volunteer or there will be drafts. I don't think you really get there is no other option. Before computers it was much harder to go to college if someone didn't help you and you had no idea about loans, etc. My spouse left home at 16. There was no option as no one cared enough to help. There are many jobs based off wars.. many of us live good lives because of the jobs that provide government support. A good chunk of this area that is government would not have the jobs or lifestyles if it were not for the government.