Policing the World with Mercenaries Using Credit

[Pirate!]

We wouldn't be trying to play world police if we couldn't print limitless money to pay young mercenaries to spill their guts over sand dunes before they’ve had a chance to live a meaningful life. Consider this: Are the people who go into the Armed Forces for money or career opportunity really the people who should be protecting the President’s interests –err, fighting for their country?

What has become of our great nation that protecting our country is no longer a matter of duty and honor? I wouldn’t kill someone because that’s my job. We’ve created a culture where that is acceptable, and now we risk the lives of hundreds of thousands of people that would not be where they are if it wasn’t a paid position.

If the cause isn’t worth fighting for, don’t fight. If it is worth fighting for, do it because it is the right thing to do. What kind of persons only do the right thing when they are paid?

Our “conflicts” or wars should be qualified by this type of standard. After the 09/11 attacks, many people would have gladly fought the identifiable enemy without remuneration in defense of our country and way of life.

It’s horrible that the American People have tolerated the use of our Military for monetary or political purposes. And we borrow the money from industrial nations that actually produce things of value. We produce weapons and soldiers for export.

 

[Pirate!]

I neglected to include that the Romans had a great system that involved only allowing the more wealthy and noble to fight the wars, and they paid their own way. It was many years into the Republic before they had a paid army of lower class fight the wars. Eventually, politicians used them as disposable resources to further their purposes.

 

[GearsMcGilf]

Relax and think of a happy place.

 

[DOMS]

What has become of our great nation that protecting our country is no longer a matter of duty and honor?

Nice way to crap on so many. Just because you don't see the military as a matter of duty and honour means that no one can?

Mighty nice of you...

My nephew just went in for those very reasons.

 

[KelJu]

I am confused. This doesn't seem at all like you, Pirate.

 

[Dark Geared God]

I neglected to include that the Romans had a great system that involved only allowing the more wealthy and noble to fight the wars, and they paid their own way. It was many years into the Republic before they had a paid army of lower class fight the wars. Eventually, politicians used them as disposable resources to further their purposes.

Officers pay for there own food clothing supplys ect. except weapons and ammo..

 

[brk_nemesis]

The military is a voluntary service. Many go b/c they want to serve their country while others do it maybe b/c hey have nowhere else to go. Regardless the reason,.. politics is politics. War is war. There is no different between the wars we fought 70 yrs ago other than the technology and the fact that the public now knows every fukin thing that happens due to the media ( the gruesomeness of war).

 

[Pirate!]

My wording was poor. I have a profound respect for those who risk their life for their country. I meant no offense to any individual. It's the politics that have people dying for causes not worth fighting for.

I commend those who join the military to defend their country, and I condemn those who use them for other purposes.

We are paying them fiat money to kill and die (and keep the peace).

Many join because it's the quickest way to a decent paycheck in the absence of highly marketable skills. I’m sure some do it for honor, some for glory, some for money, and some to kill.
If our military consisted only of people seeking to honorably protect their country, would the USA be a world bully? I understand that people need income, but I think we are throwing our muscle around the world because we have it, and we wouldn’t have the muscle if we didn’t print money (or borrow it from Asia) to pay them.

I did misuse the term mercenary. Although they are promised remuneration, they technically war in behalf of their own country.

Everyone, me included, has friends or family in the US military. I meant no disrespect to them or you. I’m just analyzing our policies that lead to such unnecessary suffering. I think our policies are highly flawed and encourage our nation to interfere where we don’t belong. Foreign and fiscal policies are intertwined. There is a clear ethical issue here.

I have these thoughts and feelings because I care for my fellow people, regardless of nationality. I sincerely apologize to those who were offended by this my writing.

 

[DOMS]

It's the politics that have people dying for causes

This I wholeheartedly agree with. Bringing democracy to the Middle East? What a waste--in every sense of the word.

would the USA be a world bully?

Out of curiosity, who do believe should be the alpha country, then?

 

[maniclion]

I joined the Navy even though I had 2 very good opportunities to go to college, my step-father, a millionaire, offered to pay my way to Texas A&M and I had a chance to go to the Community College my father worked at for a huge discount. I wanted to go to the military to serve my country and get some real world exposure before continuing my schooling. Let me tell you it paid off, when I went to school I was so much more mature and had learned so much that I graduated #1 in my course of study, the students my own age who had goofed off those 4 years after graduation treated the whole experience like it was still High School.....

 

[maniclion]

If our military consisted only of people seeking to honorably protect their country, would the USA be a world bully? I understand that people need income, but I think we are throwing our muscle around the world because we have it, and we wouldn???t have the muscle if we didn???t print money (or borrow it from Asia) to pay them.

I don't know anyone I served with who didn't feel ultimately that they were in to serve their country first and foremost, everything else was just a perk, boot camp does a good job of weeding out those who think it's going to be an easy paycheck.....

 

[min0 lee]

My wording was poor. I have a profound respect for those who risk their life for their country. I meant no offense to any individual. It's the politics that have people dying for causes not worth fighting for.

.

This.

 

[min0 lee]

This I wholeheartedly agree with. Bringing democracy to the Middle East? What a waste--in every sense of the word.

...and that.

 

[Pirate!]

I'm all for the US being the most poewerful militray force in the world. That power should be used properly and doesn't require neverending war charged to our children's account. I don't think it will stop until our economy collapses and we quit printing money. Our allies will be our enemies when we've nothing left to give. It could all change in a few years.