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Meeoooooowwwwwwww! Who's Paying for all these Zots?
http://www.darrylcramer.com/12312004.html ^ | 12/31/04 | Darryl Cramer

Posted on 01/03/2005 4:40:03 PM PST by DarrylC

“As we here at home contemplate our own duties, our own responsibilities, let us think and think hard of the example which is being set for us by our fighting men. Our soldiers and sailors are members of well-disciplined units. But they're still and forever individuals, free individuals. They are farmers and workers, businessmen, professional men, artists, clerks. They are the United States of America. That is why they fight. We too are the United States of America. That is why we must work and sacrifice. It is for them. It is for us. It is for victory.” -- Franklin D. Roosevelt, “A Call for Sacrifice”, April 28th, 1942

And sacrifice the American people did. Factories that otherwise would have produced tin cans or toys were converted to manufacture tanks and planes. More than six million women, in a time when most did not seek employment, went to work in war-related industries. As food became increasingly scarce, people began cultivating their own gardens. Recycling developed importance for the first time and Scrap Metal Drives were held throughout the country. In one way or another, every American citizen was asked to sacrifice in order to contribute to the war effort, whether that was rationing critical goods, gasoline and food, as prescribed in “ration books” distributed by the Office of Price Administration, sending themselves or their loved ones into conflict, or both.

In spite of comparisons between Saddam Hussein and Adolph Hitler, it would be difficult to argue that the scale of the Iraq War is anything close to approaching that of World War II. It would furthermore be tough to argue that the stakes are anywhere near as high. Be that as it may, we need to ask ourselves if every war, if it is to be called such, should not demand at least some sort of commitment and sacrifice from the general citizenry that is being represented by the armed forces engaged in combat. If the war is worth fighting, should not every last person on the home front be obliged to forego at least some comforts while our brave youth are spilling his or her blood? Modern American warfare would seem to indicate that this is, in fact, not the case.

Roosevelt’s thinking is unfortunately anachronistic in a time where wars are fought with higher technology, fewer soldiers and less citizen involvement. No one will deny the commitment and sacrifice demonstrated by those in the armed forces and their families, but the rest of us on the home front contribute virtually nothing to the war effort beyond ceremonial displays of support for our troops. Since there is no draft, non-military American families need not worry about their sons and daughters being called for duty. Since the Bush Administration seems quite unconcerned with the growing deficit, the American taxpayer is not even called upon to pay for the cost of the War; we will leave that for future generations. Lastly, while even the President has openly conceded to the need to decrease our dependence on foreign oil, particularly from the Middle East, as a critical element in our War Against Terror, not one single measure has been enacted in the name of energy conservation. If it were not for reminders through news channels, many of which could be more appropriately classified as entertainment, and a few bumper stickers and ribbons, it would be easy for those on the home front to forget that America was even engaged in a war.

After 9/11, the American people were willing, even eager, to do their part, whatever that might be, to help defeat those who attacked us. Having squandered that goodwill long ago, the Bush Administration has correctly calculated that asking the general population to sacrifice anything whatsoever would have a deleterious effect on public support for the War. To that extent, the President, while waxing endlessly about the need to fight for freedom, has not asked the American public for even token sacrifice. As long as the War has absolutely no impact on quality of life in the United States, he can hope to continue to enjoy a certain level of support. Freedom is not free – it just seems like very few people are actually paying for it.

Warfare, American-style, has been an industry all of its own for quite some time – and a big one at that. Like all good businesses, it seeks to increase profits, expand markets and drive demand. Demand, as we know, increases when costs, at least to the decision-makers, in this case voters, are driven toward zero. Various studies have shown that there are certain price points below which consumers will buy on impulse, transacting without critically thinking about the perceived benefits given that the cost is moderate. Is there a price point under which a nation will go to war on impulse? The answer is, sadly, “yes.” No draft, no taxes, no rationing and no conservation equate to very little cost, effectively lowering any threshold of criteria required for military action.

The unfortunate consequence is a foreign policy driven increasingly by military industrial interests, with a resulting proliferation of military responses to political problems. Of course, every conflict has a given rationale, and the propaganda machines are always running full-tilt, but the United States has been engaged in a curiously significant amount of military activity, all in the name of freedom, naturally, in the 60 years since the end of World War II: four wars, not including the Cold War, numerous invasions of foreign countries and inestimable meddling and support for foreign conflicts around the globe. The Cold War was quite a bonanza for defense companies: enormous defense budget outlays without messy casualties. Alas, it ended. The War on Terror, on the other hand, while entailing regrettable military and civilian bloodshed, will continue as long as people use violence against civilians to achieve political goals: in other words, forever. It appears to be the gift that will keep on giving.

Dwight Eisenhower, in a speech near the end of his tenure in 1961, warned against “the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military industrial complex.” Interestingly enough, the other threat mentioned in his speech was “the impulse to live only for today, plundering, for our own ease and convenience, the precious resources of tomorrow.” With defense spending around half a trillion dollars, financed by unprecedented levels of federal budget deficit, one has to wonder if anyone was listening.


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: blogpimp; bush; eisenhower; freedom; iraq; kittenchow; roosevelt; sacrifice; troll; war; worldwarii; youbepimpin; zot
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To: zip

Hey, zip. Happy New Year to you and Mrs. zip and all the Columbia FReepers and patriots.


61 posted on 01/03/2005 6:52:43 PM PST by Bahbah
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To: SandyInSeattle

Beautiful kitties - I have a little black and white one that could be the twin of yours.


62 posted on 01/03/2005 6:55:03 PM PST by Roses0508
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To: MeekOneGOP; Mrs Zip; BOBWADE
the cost of living is certainly higher in the blue states. That's because everyone wants to live there.

MeekOne, I normally agree 100 percent with your posts BUT you are totally off base on "everyone wants to live there". I wouldn't live in the NE or NW if you gave me the house and land. The south and midwest are God's country and Red states.

63 posted on 01/03/2005 7:01:45 PM PST by zip (Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough became truth to 48% of Americans)
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To: DarrylC; glock rocks

64 posted on 01/03/2005 7:04:14 PM PST by Delta 21 (MKC USCG -ret)
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To: Roses0508
Beautiful kitties - I have a little black and white one that could be the twin of yours.

If you like black & whites, say hi to 'Skunk' on post 15. I think he's a great looking cat, but then I'm biased.
65 posted on 01/03/2005 7:06:11 PM PST by superskunk (Quinn's Law: Liberalism always produces the exact opposite of it's stated intent.)
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To: superskunk
Democrats and Liberals

Isn't that repetitive?

66 posted on 01/03/2005 7:09:55 PM PST by zip (Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough became truth to 48% of Americans)
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To: Delta 21

OMG... LMAO, that's choice!


67 posted on 01/03/2005 7:10:44 PM PST by glock rocks ( Remember - Only YOU can prevent FReepathons. - Become a Monthly Donor)
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To: zip

Whoa zip, don't forget Utah. Most conservative state going.


68 posted on 01/03/2005 7:12:41 PM PST by glock rocks ( Remember - Only YOU can prevent FReepathons. - Become a Monthly Donor)
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To: Bahbah

A Happy New Year back at 'cha. I've missed the last 4 or 5 FReeps due to family situations but hope to stand tall with Prov, Bluesagewoman, Dogrobber and THE SNOWFLAKE soon. Miss you. Mrs Zip says hi.


69 posted on 01/03/2005 7:13:14 PM PST by zip (Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough became truth to 48% of Americans)
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To: zip
Isn't that repetitive?

Yes, but I don't think this guys liberal readers would notice it. They'd be to busy phonetically sounding out the big words.
70 posted on 01/03/2005 7:16:03 PM PST by superskunk (Quinn's Law: Liberalism always produces the exact opposite of it's stated intent.)
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To: glock rocks
don't forget Utah. Most conservative state going.

U R rite. Mrs Zip and I visited Utah a few years ago and loved it. (We spend a week around Salt Lake)

71 posted on 01/03/2005 7:16:29 PM PST by zip (Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough became truth to 48% of Americans)
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To: superskunk
They'd be to busy phonetically sounding out the big words.

You owe me a new keyboard. lol (coffee does funny things to it)

72 posted on 01/03/2005 7:18:23 PM PST by zip (Remember: DimocRat lies told often enough became truth to 48% of Americans)
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To: glock rocks

The Ultimate ZOT.


73 posted on 01/03/2005 7:18:48 PM PST by Delta 21 (MKC USCG -ret)
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To: DarrylC
Dang, missed the Zot again; now I gotta go take a cold shower.

74 posted on 01/03/2005 7:18:54 PM PST by 506trooper (No such thing as too much inane, ammo or fuel on board...unless you're on fire)
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To: 506trooper

Just another drive by trolling. Couldn't get a single response out of the little coward.


75 posted on 01/03/2005 7:20:50 PM PST by superskunk (Quinn's Law: Liberalism always produces the exact opposite of it's stated intent.)
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To: zip
You owe me a new keyboard. lol (coffee does funny things to it)


Sorry. Hope it wasn't a fancy expensive one. I know all about coffee and keyboards.
76 posted on 01/03/2005 7:22:52 PM PST by superskunk (Quinn's Law: Liberalism always produces the exact opposite of it's stated intent.)
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To: DarrylC
I'm contemplating two things. How you will look after the Zot. And, the lint in my navel.

5.56mm

77 posted on 01/03/2005 7:23:39 PM PST by M Kehoe
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To: DarrylC

78 posted on 01/03/2005 7:25:43 PM PST by Jackknife ("Always drink upstream from the herd." - Will Rogers)
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To: DarrylC
Oh you're gonna get ZOTTED... don't worry about who's paying for it...

79 posted on 01/03/2005 7:32:29 PM PST by mysto
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To: DarrylC

80 posted on 01/03/2005 7:33:18 PM PST by 82Marine89 (There is no such thing as a stupid question. They're just easier to answer.)
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