I mean, tbf, joining the military IS what made me start looking into the concept of Socialism and what it means.
Is the military socialism? No, us Enlisted have no power and the Officer corps is the “owning class”, but we have good, tax payer funded social benefits that I believe everyone should have access to.
It’s like a gateway drug into anti-capitalism idealogies. If the US is never going to go full socialist (or at least not in our lifetimes), then I think raising taxes and giving everyone TRICARE, VA Loan benefits, tuition assistance, and a pension will go a long way in solving most people’s biggest fears/relieving a metric fuckton of oppression caused by capitalism.
Also, having been to the Middle East and seen firsthand the stark difference of people driving around Ducatis and Lambos, parking in front malls inlaid with real gold, while 10 minutes up the road whole communities had built their shack homes in the desert with random odds and ends and thrown blankets over their windows was…I cant really describe the feeling I got. Dread, anger, immense sadness, just a whole myriad of negative emotions. Couple that with the intense religious fervor that is rampant in the region, and yeah, I have no idea how a military member can look at all that and be like “This. This is what America needs.”
Granted, yes, unfortunately a lot of our service men and women are still unfortunately extremely pro-Capitalism/Trump and Elon Musk fanboys…I just don’t know how.
Either way, my comment got long, but when people start in on the “The Army is Socialist!” Dont be mad. Educate! They’re at the very least coming from a place of “Fuck, we really could make everyones lives better if we give everyone these benefits that we enjoy so much!” And that shows compassion for others, which is something so fucking desperately needed right now.
I suppose I’m a little more patient with it because I went through the same change myself, AND because I like people (finally) pointing out that we do have a system for socialized healthcare in America!
I mean, tbf, joining the military IS what made me start looking into the concept of Socialism and what it means.
Is the military socialism? No, us Enlisted have no power and the Officer corps is the “owning class”, but we have good, tax payer funded social benefits that I believe everyone should have access to.
It’s like a gateway drug into anti-capitalism idealogies. If the US is never going to go full socialist (or at least not in our lifetimes), then I think raising taxes and giving everyone TRICARE, VA Loan benefits, tuition assistance, and a pension will go a long way in solving most people’s biggest fears/relieving a metric fuckton of oppression caused by capitalism.
Also, having been to the Middle East and seen firsthand the stark difference of people driving around Ducatis and Lambos, parking in front malls inlaid with real gold, while 10 minutes up the road whole communities had built their shack homes in the desert with random odds and ends and thrown blankets over their windows was…I cant really describe the feeling I got. Dread, anger, immense sadness, just a whole myriad of negative emotions. Couple that with the intense religious fervor that is rampant in the region, and yeah, I have no idea how a military member can look at all that and be like “This. This is what America needs.”
Granted, yes, unfortunately a lot of our service men and women are still unfortunately extremely pro-Capitalism/Trump and Elon Musk fanboys…I just don’t know how.
Either way, my comment got long, but when people start in on the “The Army is Socialist!” Dont be mad. Educate! They’re at the very least coming from a place of “Fuck, we really could make everyones lives better if we give everyone these benefits that we enjoy so much!” And that shows compassion for others, which is something so fucking desperately needed right now.
You’re right, but it doesn’t stop it from being tiresome to constantly be fighting that battle.
Oh I believe that 100%!
I suppose I’m a little more patient with it because I went through the same change myself, AND because I like people (finally) pointing out that we do have a system for socialized healthcare in America!