A nation that does not care for its veterans has no business making new ones.

[WilliamPitt]

Period. End of file.

[belzabubba333]

1. correct so people should stop enlisting

[Autumn]

3. I would love to see that happen, but it's a jobs program and our young

people need jobs. Rather sad

[belzabubba333]

4. yep our global empire needs food

[BrotherIvan]

5. And the only way for some to afford college

I bet that's no coincidence either. I believe there has been and will be no jobs program because then our sons and daughters would not be desperate enough to enlist. Recruiters prey on poor people as I have seen with my own eyes. They are disgusting vampires who just want their blood.

[onyourleft]

12. I agree with...

...this.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. Damn right, my dear Will...n/t

[Alittleliberal]

6. K&R

It's not enough to merely claim we support the troops. If we are going to send them to die we have an obligation to help them live when they return.

[santamargarita]

7. I've never had that holiday off and I'm a Vet.

[Stainless]

8. Very well put WilliamPitt

However, try telling that to the gung-ho youngsters who are brainwashed into thinking it is patriotic to throw yourself into the maelstrom of war without thinking rationally of the consequences. I find it appalling and disgusting the way our veterans are treated by the very people they are helping to maintain in power. Easily two-thirds of our congressmen, congresswomen and Senators belong in prison for malfeasance and dereliction of duty.

[Old Nick]

9. Off to Greatest Threads!

Rec

[99Forever]

10. Concise and correct. n/t

[onyourleft]

11. I agree, Will.

Further, I don't believe that military service should be seen as a job opportunity or an opportunity for higher education.

[RufusTFirefly]

13. We have a long history of neglecting veterans

In 1932, an encampment of World War I veterans in Washington, D.C.., was forcibly broken up by Douglas MacArthur, who was aided by George S. Patton and Dwight D. Eisenhower. The veterans, who like many Americans, were suffering from the Great Depression, were demanding early payment of a promised bonus. Hence, they came to be known as the Bonus Army.



One of those who spoke on the veterans' behalf was two-time Congressional Medal of Honor winner, General Smedley Darlington Butler. Two years later, Butler testified before Congress about an alleged plot by industrialists to take over the U.S. Government. One of those mentioned as a potential figurehead for the "business plot" was Gen. MacArthur. That same year (1934) Congress began so-called "merchants of death" hearings, which investigated allegations that industrialists deliberately led the U.S. into World War I in order to increase their own profits.

[AnalystInParadise]

14. Correction

Not all veterans are ignored. I have received amazing care within the VA system since I retired last year. The care could be better, you and I agree on that, but it is a bald faced lie to say that this country doesn't care about its veterans at all. Hyperbole is not your friend.