OutrageUS_002 © Michael Maurer Smith 2009

NOTE: The figure of 16 million dollars is the rounded down yearly income (192 million dollars) divided by 12 of Lawrence J. Ellison, CEO of the Oracle corporation. This figure was published by Forbes magazine, on their website as of 30 April 2008. The pay rate for the Army private first class (E2) comes from the pay tables published by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. It reflects only the base pay rate for the year 2008.

OutrageUS_001 © Michael Maurer Smith 2009

Military Seeing More Applicants read the story headline on the front page of the 7 February 2009 Lansing State Journal. In the report, by Ryan Loew, the broken economy was cited as a principal reason young men and women are joining the armed forces of the United States. In fact my nephew is now training at Fort Sill, the Army having proven to be the only employment he could find.

According to Loew’s article military recruiters are exceeding their quotas, which is not surprising. On the business page of this same issue another headline reads, “Nearly 600,000 jobs lost last month.” Its subhead reads, “Economists and government officials agreed the toll is certain to go higher.” 

Without a draft America is left with an all volunteer military. Its enlisted ranks are filling with people who are joining because they need a job, not because they aspire to a military career. In turn they are being lead by an elite officer corps comprised of university and military academy graduates. This is not representative of a democratic military. It is not an example of diversity. It is not healthy for the country. In fact the United States Armed Forces are very close to becoming mercenary forces––totally reliant upon volunteers who will fight not from any sense of patriotism or conviction, but because its the best deal they can find. Is this what America really wants and needs?

When a democratic nation goes to war all of its citizens should make sacrifices–as supporters, participants or protesters. Citizen involvement is the foundation of democracy–the foundation of genuine freedom. Democracy cannot survive a citizenry that is disengaged, self-serving, ignorant or afraid to seek the truth and speak it when they find it. 

In America today far too many people equate consumer choice with political freedom. For them Capitalism and Democracy are the same, and they refuse to make the distinction even if they know it.  ”Let someone else do the dirty work” they say. “Let my neighbor’s kids come home in body bags not mine–mine are too precious.”

Where is the outrage?

© Michael Maurer Smith 2009