lunatica Donating Member (1000+ posts) Journal Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Donate to DU! Wed Aug-19-09 09:57 AM
Original message
Does anyone else here think our military is a socialist run structure
Edited on Wed Aug-19-09 10:01 AM by lunatica
If the definition of Socialism is that the government pays for everything with the revenues generated by the taxes that the citizens pay, then our entire military organization is the biggest Socialist program of all. There is nothing in any of the military branches that is generated through private means. From the building of the weapons like the drones, tanks, and hand held firepower, to the multi-million dollar fighter jets, to the floating cities of the aircraft carriers it's all paid on our dime.
Our 700 plus bases all over the world, as well as the monstrosity in Iraq are on our dime. You and I pay for it. We now pay Halliburton to 'service' the military whereas we used to pay the military to do it for themselves. We also pay Blackwater to guard our State Department members when they travel outside the US. It all on our dime.
All our military personnel, up to the highest ranking officers get paid with our money. They get housed with our money. Their very uniforms are paid with our taxes. And when the grunts in the trenches are forced to pay for thing they get, like meals while they're convalescing in hospitals after getting shot up in the wars, that's them giving it back to the government who gave it to them in the first place out of our pockets. The government shouldn't be for profit if they're using our money to fund things.
If Socialism is the topic of the day, let's really talk about it. The next time some puffed up disrupter retired vet chooses to strap a side arm high up on his thigh to enhance his crotch or screams about how bad Socialism is maybe they should be reminded they've been in the biggest Socialist style run organization in history and in the world. It isn't just the medical care they get that's socialist.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6344634Hmm the dummy has a point the military does sort of run like a socialistic society.
The pay is low.
Health care is rationed in fact when you get sick you don't see a doctor you see a PFC who gives you tylenol or motrin.
Dentists routinely pull wisdom teeth that are not problematic for "practice"
Your freedoms are stripped down. You are told by the govt where you will live, where you will work and how much money you can earn. And you can't just put in your 2 weeks notice if you want a better job.
One major difference is you have to actually produce something to be in the system. Secondly it is totally voluntary you agree to the terms that are in your contract and if you dont like it you can not re enlist when your hitch is up.
So DUmmies you made a pretty good argument of why socialism is bad and I wager most people who served and voluntary suspended their freedom are the first ones who do not want socialism.
I almost forgot the military does random drug tests whenever they feel like it I can bet you the DUmp would hate that.