Sharing the Sacrifice

          It is curious to note that the only portion of Obama’s job bill to pass so far is job aid to veterans. So the portion with the least realistic impact and maximum political gain passes. Hmmm….

          Critics of the Administration cite pullout from the Middle East as a blatantly political act. Withdrawal from Iraq is not optional. It’s the law, established by Bush Jr. Withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014 after 13 years of war may be political, but oh that 14th year promises to be the best if we don’t. It won’t matter. Trust me.

          We as a nation can sustain perpetual war. When your enemy is an ideology or label, war never ceases. The reason some can desire perpetual war is that “war” these days is so detached from our national consciousness. It’s something occasionally on the news. To say there is little shared sacrifice in the “war on terror” is a gross understatement. In a nation of 310 million people, only 23 million are veterans. That is 7% that have served in the military. Less than 1% of our current population is in uniform (active, guard, reserves).

          I advocate job aid to veterans. Our nation should provide far more for those who have given their all for that nation. But in the end, the job aid is a very political symbolic statement, another disconnect from the reality of suffering endured by many Americans. Who will provide a jobs bill for the other 99%? Those who serve give their lives for all of us, not just some of us. We can best honor their sacrifice by governing for all of us, not just for some of us.