I’d like to quote for you some of the very best bits of William Blum’s new book, “America’s Deadliest Export: Democracy,” but I’d end up quoting most of the book and the entire chapter on capitalism. So you’re just going to have to get your own copy.
But let me quote one little section for you here. Blum reviews state laws requiring that women considering abortions be told that they are about to end a human life. Regardless of your view of such laws, Blum thinks it is worth noting that no such information is provided to women or men when they sign up to join the U.S. military. So, he proposes requiring that each would-be recruit be read this statement:
“The United States is at war [this statement is always factually correct]. You will likely be sent to a battlefield where you will be expected to do your best to terminate the lives of whole, separate, unique, living human beings you know nothing about and who have never done you or your country any harm. You may in the process lose an arm or a leg. Or your life. If you come home alive and with all your body parts intact, there’s a good chance you will be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Do not expect the government to provide you particularly good care for that, or any care at all. In any case, you may wind up physically abusing your spouse and children and/or others, killing various individuals, abusing drugs and/or alcohol, and having an increased risk of suicide ideation or suicide. No matter how bad a condition you may be in, the government may send you back to the battlefield for another tour of duty. They call this ‘stop-loss.’ And don’t ever ask any of your officers what we’re fighting for. Even the generals don’t know. In fact, the generals especially don’t know. They would never have reached their high position if they had been able to go beyond the propaganda we’re all fed, the same propaganda that has influenced you to come to this office.”
A while back I made a video along these same lines: