Serve, Pay or Leave

Throughout the history of the United States when we have been at war we have united in Shared Sacrifice for the benefit of our country. The manner in which this country has come together in Shared Sacrifice can be summed up in two words Serve and Pay. 

That is until this war.

No one is paying for this war - YET!

This is the first war in the history of the United Sates that taxes have been cut. The tax cuts have gone to the very people that in the history of this country have paid for our wars. 

In this war, sacrifice has been limited to the military, both active duty and reserve, veterans and their families. In all the other segments of this country this war there has been no sacrifice what so ever.

In regards to Service, this country will soon not be able to maintain any semblance of an all volunteer Army as a result of sending soldiers and Marines back for their second and third tour of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. Some soldiers are on their second eighteen month tour with only six months time back in the states between these tours. This is resulting in evidence that an exodus of young Army officers may be looming on the horizon.

It is interesting to note that there are over 28 million Veterans in the United States and if even fifty percent of them truly believed in this war they would be able to convince their sons and daughters to join the Military - but they are not. 

Some of the blame for not being able to enlist enough recruits from the families of Veterans can be laid directly on the policies of this administration. They have decided that this country cannot afford in time of war to pay Veterans the benefits they need and were promised. 

This administration also feels that this country is paying too much money for Veterans Health Care and "funding for veteran’s medical programs would receive only less than half of one percent budget increase, far below the necessary 13 to 14 percent increase that Veteran’s Administration noted that it would need just to keep up with the current level of services and accommodate growing enrollment numbers."

There maybe some concerned mothers and fathers of potential recruits that are unwilling to sacrifice their son's and daughter's lives to assist in this budget saving measure.

But, there are also the over 51 million people who voted for the President in particular such true patriots as Gary Bauer who "blame the hostile media" for the recent inability of the U.S. military to meet some of its key recruiting goals. Where are their sons and daughters when their country needs them?

When we look at who is paying for this war the answer is simple. At this point in time - no one. 

This is somewhat strange in that no President in the history of the United States has cut taxes in time of war. But, this President has done it THREE times. This country has also historically relied on the rich to help pay for our wars. But, this President has made clear his priority is to cut taxes for the wealthy. 

As a result after this war is over the debt will be so huge that the only thing this county will be able to pay for is debt. If all the tax cuts are made permanent the only ones who will be paying for the debt will be the few wage earners left who have jobs.

This problem is no accident it has been planned for many years in the past and this war only makes the likelihood of their plan being able to come to pass much more likely.

Since this country is doing none of the "Patriotic" things which require shared sacrifice that it has historically done during time of war then we should Leave.                                                                                                                     

Most Posters came from the collection of the Northwestern University Library. They were initially published by the U.S. Government Printing Office and are in the public domain. Others come various websites and to tell the difference the parody posters are linked to their source.  Questions and comments about this web site should be sent to: admin@americansforsharedsacrifice.org  Last modified: August 18, 2006