Why Elites are AWOL

[Zeebadee]

http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles...e.asp?ID=23379

An excellent article, seems to me to be very well balanced - something in it will make everyone mad. I was particularly annoyed by the authors statement that,

"The only credible way to alter perception and begin to depoliticize the military is for Democrats, liberals, and others to being to publicly, consistently, and loudly advocate for broad participation of their own in military service."

Somehow, republicans didn't seem to make that list. Yet, by their own figures, they claim,

" The percentage of members of Congress with children serving in the military is only slightly above one percent.
While the old political clans of the Kennedys, Roosevelts and the Bushes have had many family members previously serving in combat, none of these privileged families (Democrat and Republican alike) has any relative in the military today."

However, they do point out later that,

"In 1976, most of the military identified themselves as Independent, while 33 percent identified as Republican (still a larger proportion than the general public). But the members of the armed services have since abandoned this neutrality. Now 56 percent consider themselves Republican, and only 15 percent consider themselves Independent."

So, maybe republicans are already over-represented in the military. The sector that is really very much under-represented in the military are the family members of our "leaders". How long would this nonsensical war in Iraq last if we had a bunch of these privileged kids come home in body bags??

Anyway, good article, some good links in it.

[Samildanach]

"In 1976, most of the military identified themselves as Independent, while 33 percent identified as Republican (still a larger proportion than the general public). But the members of the armed services have since abandoned this neutrality. Now 56 percent consider themselves Republican, and only 15 percent consider themselves Independent."

This is not surprising to me. Smart people learn that people in the military have a higher rate of death and therefore don't want to join, so what you are left with are the lowest common denominator joining...ie republicans.

[Spartacus]

I think you are drawing the wrong conclusion about why folks in the military look to themselves more and more as Republicans.

The "love my country" patriots are more likely to be GOP and they are the ones who join as well as the ones who join because it is an excellent opportunity to make a great start in one's life. The educational opportunities and "resume" benefits are superior to anything in the civilian world. It's never been about politics but the rewards of military service.

The elites already have those benefits.

[Osborn F Enready]

And now more than ever, the government is signing HUGE enlistment, and RE-enlistment bonuses.

Come on, can I buy your freedom, your life? Never mind what we ask you to do, it is the deed of devils to accomplish the supposed work of angels, so never mind those pesky human or civil rights, we pay well, and offer a college education TOO.

ex-serviceman saying that, and I don't agree with our current system of governments method of war, peace, or its take on "authority" over the individual, and belief in unchecked, unbalanced, executive controlled government.