This is yet another example of just how badly the Administration is running this country into the dirt. An article on
MSNBC reports on the inability of the Army to pay for basic services such as lights and office supplies due to budget problems. Not a big amount as far as budget money goes, only 530 million.
(maybe one thousand pens, 500 toilet seats and 5 hammers?) Still, combined with
this excellent diary it shows what a sorry state this administration has ground our once proud military down to.
FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas - A diversion of dollars to help fight the war in Iraq has helped create a $530 million shortfall for Army posts at home and abroad, leaving some unable to pay utility bills or even cut the grass.
In San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston hasn't been able to pay its $1.4 million monthly utility bill since March, prompting workers in many of the post's administrative buildings to get automated disconnection notices.
Fort Bragg in North Carolina can't afford to buy pens, paper or other office supplies until the new fiscal year starts in October.
We are putting thugs in our military, not paying for adequate services while they are in the service, and then expecting them to behave like pristine soldiers. On top of that many face
homelessness when they return. Congress and the White House are just showing their massive contempt and incompetance and breeding a third world military. How do you expect an organization to be respectful of civilians here or in war if they are treated like secondary citizens by the government that controls them?
How long till either the military has a coup to force the government to cover their bills or just goes to a corruption based pay system like the old Soviet system where they got to keep loot from raids to pay the soldiers? When are the Vets going to start camping on the White House lawn or next to that reflecting pool? Or maybe the Marines can set up a base there and just run an extension cord out a window of the White House. Soon the Air Force will have to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber, but it will be one needed to protect our troops.
Perhaps Bush is possessed by the spirit of Marie Antoinette. "If they can't afford bread let them eat cake." Unfortunatly, there are too many heads involved with this to just start lopping them off. At least literally. But we can start cutting off political heads. I just hope November brings hope instead of hopelessness.