Iraq Planning Continues Despite Presidential Election

Did a bible scribe predict that there will be wars and rumors of war?

Any history of the world and especially of this country is along with anything else a story of wars and rumors of wars for every generation.

The difference today is an all volunteer military in the U.S.

Formerly, conscription (draft) supplied the military personnel so that every family was directly involved.

Now, we admire and rely on the volunteers (it used to be called a mercenary army).

Patriotism motivates voluntary service, but so does the promise of education & training, health care for self and family and other perks that are very appealing in peacetime (albeit rare in this country's history).

Military careers are greatly enhanced during wartime (for the top brass).

Wartime presidents achieve greatness during wars--and often reelection.

Industries become vastly wealthy supplying everything imaginable to sustain wars and replacing what is destroyed.

Wars used to be for acquiring territory. Today they just acquire wealth on the one hand and debt on the other.

War may not be inevitable, but I see no end in sight for them.

This country maintains a military presence in over 150 countries in the world today and some 369,000 military personnel to operate them (not counting the ones now on active duty in Iraq and Afganistan). And not counting their families that often reside with them in those countries during their tour of duty.

And in addition to what our government pays to maintain those bases, the 369.000 receive their base pay plus bonuses for being on foreign soil. They receive additional benefits for their families.

But what would happen if we brought half of these non-combat personnel not serving in war zones, back home?

Would the world explode in uncontrolled war? Not likely.

But what a boost to our economy that would create. Neary 185,000 families spending their income here, on top of the savings to our country for no longer having to suuport them abroad--talk about a stimulus package--and without the government spending more money it hasn't got.

Oh well, time to wake up and start another day.

HillbillyBill of TN 9:03AM October 21, 2008