As prominent conservative's goad us to more military action...their personal involvement and participation in previous actions is rare to non-existent.
As our final troops pullout of Iraq, there has arisen an odd drumbeat by conservatives complaining that Obama has “cut and run”…we are snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…and/or we are showing weakness to our enemies. This message is not limited to the fringes of the Republican Party; instead their mainstream has pursued it vehemently.
Presidential candidates Romney, Gingrich, Bachmann, Santorum, (all these except Ron Paul) have excoriated Obama for leaving Iraq. Dick Cheney was unequivocal about his opposition to the Obama move, as were Mitch McConnell and John Boehner. And the right wing talk show hosts are on the rampage with their criticism: Hannity, Limbaugh, and O’Reilly.
Moreover, they all also warned about a possible early withdrawal from Afghanistan (even after 10 years of specious efforts). And many are now lobbying for preemptive military action against Iran.
There is a supreme irony (and commonality) in the group mentioned above as they goad us toward more war: none –not one of the names listed above ever served in the military. They all managed to assiduously avoid a draft and/or military service despite being eligible during several wars. As a further stroke of irony, the one candidate and voice who opposes further military action by the U.S. regarding Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan, actually did serve. Ron Paul was an Air Force Flight Surgeon.
But this is less about criticizing the lack of service each of those individuals gave to our country, but more as a platform for describing those who are serving us – because that is the true dark side of further engagement in the past (Iraq), present (Afghanistan) and possible future (Iran) wars.
It is very easy, and effortless for those who want us to fight, die, pay for, and otherwise engage in war, because the fact is, they have no downside. They have no involvement, they pay no price, and they risk no death or injury. The fact is the entire burden of both the Iraq war and the battle in Afghanistan has been borne by a tiny fraction of our citizens. Aside from a cheap bumper strip (“Support our Troops”) the American public is totally uninvolved. Sure, we all pay lip service, (and shed our crocodile tears for our brave veterans). But in reality, there is no sacrifice; there is no pain or dislocation; not even the slightest inconvenience. In fact, there is barely an awareness there is even a brutal war raging half way across the world, except perhaps, on the 6:00 News.
Since we invaded Iraq, and entered Afghanistan, it is estimated that 1.6 million troops have served in these two wars – literally ½ of 1% of our nation’s population have carried this entire burden. Most of us are only casually or even remotely involved, merely clucking sadly when reading about the young soldiers who died, in the Obituary Pages. Indeed, this tiny group has not only carried virtually all the pain and suffering; but sadly, thousands have returned for multiple tours, much to the destruction of their families and civilian careers. This small minority of Americans has registered over 4,400 dead, 32,000 severely wounded; and more than 100,000 suffering from serious health problems related to post traumatic stress syndrome, as a result of these prolonged and almost endless wars. In WWII we beat two powerful foes in about 4 years; we have been slogging along in Iraq and Afghanistan for 10. How can there be any appetite for more?
I earlier stated Americans have really not sacrificed for these wars at all – that is not quite accurate. We have in one way: these wars have created immense deficits (Iraq at cost of about $140 Billion each year of the war). The wars have been a major component in our financial woes. Yet, they represent the very first time America has not “paid” for waging war. During WWII, FDR knew we needed urgent funding to win that war (in fact, it probably was our ability to mobilize and pay for our industrial power which was a deciding factor in winning the war). In 1944 and 1945, the top tax rate for the highest income tier ($200,000) was a whopping 94%, and capital gains taxes were 25%. Amazingly, few complained. Today there is much anguish among conservatives about the burden the super wealthy have to bear with their 35% top bracket. This, from the same folks who brought us into these wars, without a plan to pay for them.
Given all this, no wonder conservatives retain their appetite for more war. They don’t fight in them. They (the loudest voices) have not volunteered to participate in them. They bear absolutely no personal burden or sacrifice in waging a war. And they don’t even make provisions to pay for them! That is the real “dark side” of staying in Iraq; continuing the fighting in Afghanistan; and jingoistic proclamations about a preemptive war with Iran. And it is a dark side that needs to have some light shone upon it before we wage more war.