So here's what I'm thinking...my bleeding heart liberal rant...

by changeling 27 Replies latest jw friends

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  changeling

  I heard on the news this morning that the US has finally met it's enlistement quota. They acheived this by offering a $20,000 bonus upon enlisting.

  The US has also relaxed it's standards as to who they allow to enlist. A criminal record and drug issues will no longer keep you out of the armed forces.

  So, in many cases the country is sending uneduacted, criminally inclined young men and women to a nasty war, to witness atrocities that furthur sear their conscience. These peope come back to our country broken and warped. Sure, some take advantage of a free education and make something of themselves, but many do not.

  I've been called a "pacifist" on this board because I do not believe in war. I consider myself "peaceful". I see that sometimes a country needs to defend its people and its freedoms, but I think this should be a last resort.

  I also think the whole mentality of our militatry is based on testosterone and not on brains. What if we changed that? What if instead of signing bonuses and optional payed educations after time served, the military offered an education up front?

  What if, in order to enter the militatry you had to pass a test (like SAT's or ACT's) and had to have no criminal record? What if upon admitance, the person had to learn, not only what they teach in boot camp, but obtain a college degree as well?

  They could postpone sending anyone to active duty till they had completed at least two years of schooling and then they finish upon return.

  They could make courses like art and philosophy mandatory for all majors, ensuring a balanced education. They could also teach diplomacy and negotiation in addition to armed combat.

  What if at home, the nation concentrated on building schools, parks, museums and librarys?

  Currently, you have to finish the 8th grade or reach the age of 16 or you are considered "truant". What if we raised the bar. What if a high school diploma were mandatory (or a certificate of completion for those in Special Ed.)?

  What if Community College were free to all?

  What if those who go on to higher education were compensated by the goverenment? What if they also compensated those of limited means who did not have a criminal record?

  If we can spend bijillions on war I think we can swing these changes. And I think our country would prosper, and Americans would build (slowly) a reputation for being an educated, peace loving people instead of the ignorant bullies we are perceived to be today.

  Ok guys, your turn. Let me have it...

  changeling
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  franzy

  pure fantasy or not,
  
  i like your bleeding heart.
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  Emma

  My bleeding liberal heart is right with yours. It feels like we're doing things backward in this country. OK, I'm ready for the shots, too.
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  REBORNAGAIN

  Changeling, have you opted to run for president yet? I'll vote for ya!

  LINDA

  Good points!
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  oompa

  They could make courses like art and philosophy mandatory for all majors, ensuring a balanced education. They could also teach diplomacy and negotiation in addition to armed combat.

  ROLMAO!!! "Heads up everyone...incoming....It's another VanGeough!!!!" "Try hitting that AlQida with a Monet damn it! Before they hit us with something from Gaugin!!!! AAAIIIEEEE!"...oompa
• 

  oompa

  The US has also relaxed it's standards as to who they allow to enlist. A criminal record and drug issues will no longer keep you out of the armed forces.

  Wouldnt it be great if everyone in prison for 15 years or more would be drafted!?!? Prison is hell=War is hell so it is a perfect fit. Think of how many problems this would solve....oompa..lol

  plus--sending uneduacted, criminally inclined young men and women to a nasty war, to witness atrocities that furthur sear their conscience.

  if there inclined that way anyway, why not use the ones we have?!?!?
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  journey-on

  Sounds pretty good to me, albeit a bit on the fanciful side.

  Remember, though, a soldier is a legitimate field of endeavor. You talk like it's just men and women that they

  take off the streets against their will and force them to do something. It's not. There are a lot of extremely

  intelligent folks that choose the military as their career path. Heck, I know a guy right now that re-joined the

  Navy to complete medical school. When he finishes, he has to give back part of his time serving as a

  Naval doc, but he considers it a pretty good deal.

  Art and philosophy cannot solve all the world's woes. Sometimes, and I mean this as a last resort, certain

  extreme threats require SOLDIERS...trained and ready for combat. That's just the way it is at this time. Wish it wasn't.
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  JeffT

  What if those who go on to higher education were compensated by the goverenment? What if they also compensated those of limited means who did not have a criminal record?

  People who go on to higher education do not need to be compensated by the government. They're compensated by their employers. Those of limited means are already compensated through a variety of mechanisms.

  How about people who want welfare/food stamps/government insurance/etc ad infinitum be required to go to school as well?
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  AK - Jeff

  For the most part I have to agree with you Changling - though I have rarely, if ever, been viewed as a bleeding heart liberal. LOL

  Also, though Oompa makes a good point. Why not let those serving in prison join the military for a reduced sentence - kinda like 'The Dirty Dozen' movie? You don't need to have a higher education to shoot and bomb people. Education could be a bonus for them however upon exit from the military. Most of the time there is not an active war going on in which America is involved, so they could get out of jail free, get the education, and learn some needed discipline all at once. That may help many social ills that are currently being padded by dollars more than by sense.

  I agree that most conflicts are not needed. But the problem is that perspectives are all over the board on this - it is too subjective. We have to draw the line and let those whom we elect do what we elected them to do - make such decisions. Those decisions won't always be right from every perspective - how could they be? But they will be the reflection of the collective if the system works right.

  True - too much testosterone and too little testing of the evidence might lead us astray at times.

  Educational initiatives are very much needed in this country. I wish the community colleges were funded and allowed all to attend without major costs. That would be a wonderful plank when you run for the presidency. I vote Changling.

  Thanx for the thoughtful rant.

  Jeff
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  BrentR

  Sounds good on paper but if we collectively had that attitude 231 yrs ago we would have the Union Jack flying on our buildings. Not that there is anything wrong the Union Jack but it belongs in the UK.