The difference between WW2 and WW3

[Deja Q]

WW2, we all saw and agreed with the terror that was Hitler and his ilk. It was also the aftermath that really opened up the middle class; the "Leave it to Beaver" lifestyle was a reality for many because people had living wages. WW2 brought Americans together. WW3, "the war on terror". It's a bunch of terrorists who want us all dead. The shrouded menace with no unified voice, apart from saying they want us all dead. Not everyone agrees the war is necessary. And politicians love to claim the other party is using the war to their benefit (e.g. vote for Dems and terrorists win). We also see offshoring and the spitting on the middle class. The "Leave it to Beaver" lifestyle has long since been relegated to a sarcasm-influenced joke, never mind the more colloquial use of the term "beaver" that didn't exist in the late-1950s...

In WW2 there were rations. Even chocolate became a currency amongst soldiers. People were told to do their part and to ration for the common good. In WW3, there seem to be no rations; everything just costs more but nobody is saying "we need to ration" or pretty much anything else except "support your economy and buy buy buy with your masturcard!" and "support our troops" bumperstickers and lawn signs...

WW2 also, to my understand me so correct me if I'm wrong, seemed to give vets their just due for putting their lives on the line for the common good. In WW3, vets are deemed dispensable and unworthy of any benefits or compensation. If fighting terrorism is a noble cause, why have vets' benefits been cut time and again?

I dunno what to think. But please correct me where I'm wrong.

Edit: Spelling

[villager]

1. don't think you're wrong, HypnoToad

If the Repubbies were allowed to demagogue WWII they way they've demagogued WWIII, Hitler coulda practically strolled across the Atlantic...

[MadMaddie]

2. HT I think that that you are on the right path....

I think it has a lot do with or lack therof true Presidential leadership..

Remember what was the first thing that * (president) said after 9/11?....It wasn't lets conserve, lets ration....no he said spend, spend, spend....because in his simple mind our resources will last forever.....

He talks a big game about supporting our soldiers but has failed them at every step....

And if you look closely at history WWII Hitler and the Nazi's made the Jews of their time the "Terrorist", they said the Jews would ruin their way of life, blah, blah, blah...the same rhetoric that you hav been hearing from the Republicans the last 3 years...

Don't forget the Korean War and Vietnam....

Vietnam and Iraq are eeriely similar...instead of withdrawing and calling it a day...* wants to send more troops over...

History can predict the future I say....

[HappyWeasel]

thats about right.

[HappyWeasel]

3. thats about right.

[Canuckistanian]

4. I don't remember FDR saying anything about shopping

WWII was a time of government-imposed sacrifice. And did the people complain? Not much.
They all knew the stakes and how much time, energy and sweat it was going to need to defeat the enemy.

Because the government was HONEST, and people could SEE the armies, tanks and air forces arrayed against them, people knew thay were seeing the real deal.

But this war is based on air - fuzzy images of slightly disheveled madmen and tales of vast "plots", so big you can't begin to imagine.

And now, the war has devolved into quagmire. Just like the Soviets in Afghanistan, the French in Algeria and... the US in Vietnam.

This is no WWIII, not even close.

[gordianot]

5. You are right this is World War III, this time no Axis or Allies, plenty of misguided ideology.

People thought World War III would be fought with Nuclear weapons, well at least not yet. Overall an excellent Post.