Bullets or Band-Aids

   I have the priviledge of  pride that goes along with having active service members in my family. I often hear from them the things that are right, and the things that are not so right concerning the military. I read whatever news I can that relates to them and their service. When I come across stories that are obviously propaganda driven -yes, our soldiers are victims of American politics, even overseas- I have to wonder what kind of officer would stoop so low as to suggest some type of political affiliation to a subordinate, much less a General whose only goal is to perpetuate war through his politics, or one who views war through an equitable lens. Maybe we should excuse those with high rank; they must be informed more thoroughly than mere enlisted troops. I won't try to uncover a voter fraud ring in the military, but I will say with great confidence that "shit runs downhill", and history repeats itself.
   Imagine having tens of thousands of voters, thinking as you have suggested, voting as you vote. If your job or salary was on the line, would you petition your employees through falacy and fantasy in order to retain your position? It depends on integrity, and there is a glaring, well documented deficit; especially high atop the military machine. This makes partisan propaganda among our troops at least plausible. The news I regularly hear from my enlisted brothers is that the Administration is going to cut their pay, make deployments longer, snatch them away from their families, and everything else that will suggest ill will from the Commander in Chief. Most of these things will never happen; even with a leftist in the White House.
   Today's military giants seem to be busy with career advancement (as long as no one knows when their zippers are down), and political affiliation more than with the fate of the soldiers they command. After all, how many of us can balance nearly two million employees, send thousands of emails to a mistress, sleep with her, have a wife and family, lobby for more bullets, and still have time to make informed, rational decisions?

Our base defense budget is over $500 billion. That doesn't count the billions for other projects and "discretionary" spending. With that information, I have to ask some questions about what happens to our soldiers who are maimed and injured in very real and permanent ways. Why does my cousin have to ask for medicine for his migraine? Why do they give him tylenol and tell him to take it easy? Why is his medical attendant not a doctor? Why are there so many war related mental illnesses going untreated? Soldiers are taught to be tough, rightfully so, to the point of ignoring all wounds that are not bleeding profusely. The "invisible" illnesses are the most critical, especially after the tangible wounds are healed. This is easy for the system to ignore; they don't see it. They also don't see the broken marriages, the kids with no fathers, the homeless veterans, the incarcerated, the institutional minds. A quick trip through Google will answer most of those questions. Wiki told me that only 50% of war related mental illnesses are reported, and only 50% of those recieve treatment. It kind of makes me think that mental illness is largely ignored, coupled with the soldier's fear of appearing to be weak. It's a good way to save money; invisible = more bullets. The most shameful part of this is that our executive and legislative branches are keeping the current military spending the same, plus 4%. If Mr. Obama is a good Socialist he will re-distribute the wealth of the war hungry Generals and their bullets back to our true public servants; at the very least, the wounded. Hang in there Nathan. We love and support you no matter how much time passes. I know the wounds will still be there long after the system cuts you adrift, and hopefully you will find a community that is not only aware, but also embracing of you. If you move back here I will take you to my Dr.; he knows what our minds do, and how to treat those of us whose lives depend on it.

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