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Monday, September 21, 2015
Jennifer Mittlestadt — How the US military became a welfare state
Pretty much a job guarantee, too. Whatever it takes, I guess.
Yup, I think military Job Guarantee is the way to go. Most Americans will want "hard work" and won't support artists, open source programmers, etc like they would in Britain. Anyone asked Donald Trump?
"Is not a universal JG though, not everybody can join the US Army."
Don't be so sure. There used to be an official or unofficial ban on criminals, Nazis and the mentally disturbed or incapable. Those were relaxed post-9/11. The ranks of the desperately poor were insufficient to fill the cannon fodder requirements of the Pentagon. The only requirement these days for joining Washington's stormtroopers is evidence of a pulse.
Ignacio, as far as I can gather while there is an age condition, the physical conditions have been severely relaxed, much to the consternation of the US military. The requirements on past behaviour and mental competence are just overlooked or not investigated - hence all the neo-Nazis, violent criminals and mentally disturbed or those with severe learning difficulties who are now in uniform, a not altogether novel way of getting rid of the unwanted in your society.
If they come back in coffins, who cares? They've served their purpose to the greater glory of the empire. As civilians they were an embarrassment and a drain on the empire. As corpses, duped and brainwashed into throwing away their lives, they are heroic figures who serve as an inspiration to the rest of the ever burgeoning underclass to kill whatever Washington points its bloodsoaked fingers at. "War is a racket," to quote the US military's most highly decorated soldier.
Yup, I think military Job Guarantee is the way to go. Most Americans will want "hard work" and won't support artists, open source programmers, etc like they would in Britain.
ReplyDeleteAnyone asked Donald Trump?
Is not a universal JG though, not everybody can join the US Army.
ReplyDelete"Is not a universal JG though, not everybody can join the US Army."
ReplyDeleteDon't be so sure. There used to be an official or unofficial ban on criminals, Nazis and the mentally disturbed or incapable. Those were relaxed post-9/11. The ranks of the desperately poor were insufficient to fill the cannon fodder requirements of the Pentagon. The only requirement these days for joining Washington's stormtroopers is evidence of a pulse.
Don't you have to meet a minimum of physical conditions and be within certain age range?
ReplyDeleteIgnacio, as far as I can gather while there is an age condition, the physical conditions have been severely relaxed, much to the consternation of the US military. The requirements on past behaviour and mental competence are just overlooked or not investigated - hence all the neo-Nazis, violent criminals and mentally disturbed or those with severe learning difficulties who are now in uniform, a not altogether novel way of getting rid of the unwanted in your society.
ReplyDeleteIf they come back in coffins, who cares? They've served their purpose to the greater glory of the empire. As civilians they were an embarrassment and a drain on the empire. As corpses, duped and brainwashed into throwing away their lives, they are heroic figures who serve as an inspiration to the rest of the ever burgeoning underclass to kill whatever Washington points its bloodsoaked fingers at. "War is a racket," to quote the US military's most highly decorated soldier.