Logic Times

Today's Rationing

Commentary by Aslan, 4/16/06, 11:52pm. Comments (0)

"Our men and women in uniform are making sacrifices -- and showing a sense of duty stronger than all fear." President Bush, State of the Union 2006

"We owe our troops the opportunity to serve in the best-planned, best-equipped, and best-led military force in the world, and we owe them the peace of mind that comes from knowing that they and their families will be taken care of if they sacrifice life, limb or the ability to sleep without war's nightmares." Senator John Kerry

"America is justifiably proud of the strength and commitment of our men and women in uniform, but the Iraq war has taken its toll and we owe it to those brave soldiers not to ignore the reality of their sacrifice or the challenges we face in keeping our military strong." Senator Dick Durbin

The words of both liberals and conservatives recognize the tremendous accomplishments of our military and the sacrifices they make. But while these words are appropriate and even essential from the mouths of our public leaders, most Americans today do not share in the sacrifice of our soldiers or even appreciate what this sacrifice truly means. {Editor’s Note: For a more personal view of this sacrifice, read this recent post.}

In World War II, the entire nation in a small way shared, in the form of rationing, the sacrifice of soldiers overseas. At the very least, rationing reminded American citizens each and every day of the greater burden being shouldered by the United States military in defending this country.

"With the onset of World War II, numerous challenges confronted the American people. The government found it necessary to ration food, gas, and even clothing during that time. Americans were asked to conserve on everything. With not a single person unaffected by the war, rationing meant sacrifices for all." (U.S. History.com)

The War on Terror is World War III. It may not feature millions of men in the field and great battles for control of continents and strategic islands, but it is a struggle for survival that has engulfed, in one way or another, all nations of the world. However, wealth, technology and the nature of the enemy have quarantined the War on Terror, isolating the sacrifice to the men and women in battle and their families back at home. The 99% of Americans who live their lives unaffected by the War on Terror (since 9/11 has faded from memory) have a moral obligation to embrace, like the greatest generation before them, the sacrifices of this World War. Our vast wealth makes such burdens light compared to the America of 1943, because it is not limited resources, but a limited attention span, that is the problem.

To understand the sacrifice needed in the War on Terror, we must first appreciate that today’s soldier is nothing like the brave men of World War II.  Unlike the quickly trained and rudely equipped conscript landing on the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima, today’s volunteer is a professional, a model of sophisticated training and technological know-how. In fact, today’s professional soldier is the key to the winning the War on Terror against a 12th century opponent that must scavenge modern technology to compete.

We should begin our national sacrifice by recognizing the sophistication of today’s soldiers and compensating them accordingly. Just as doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and CEOs all make more money because of their training, the risks they take and the magnitude of their work, so too it is time to recognize the impeccable training, frightening risk and unparalleled importance of the work of today’s military by dramatically increasing compensation and benefits. The sacrifice of this generation – today’s rationing, if you will – is for modern America to push away from the government pork buffet and finance the future of self-defense in a big way: a bare minimum of a 50% increase in all military pay, the automatic granting of $2,000,000 life insurance polices for every soldier, establishing full disability pay, and the provision of 100% free health care for any soldiers injured in combat at any hospital of his or her choosing (VAs, a two-tier system if there ever was one, should be eliminated).

What possible basis could there possibly be for opposing such a position? That soldiers are overpaid? These are citizen surrogates, our representatives risking life and limb to protect fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers and each and every child.  We live in such a wealthy society that our very self-defense can be delegated to faceless others without requiring thought or effort. That these surrogates should shoulder that burden while receiving inferior wages, paltry benefits and enduring substandard healthcare is wholly immoral. The crime of our indifference is compounded by a fiscal stinginess that is as insulting as it is unjust and  unnecessary.

The only objection with nominal merit is that the country cannot afford to compensate its soldiers fairly.  Is this so?  Compensation of military personnel is indeed a significant number: over $106 Billion (including housing) in 2005:

(in millions - data here)

To meet this requirement of a 50% increase in pay (and better housing), the federal government would need an extra $55 Billion in 2006, and this does not account for the life insurance benefit.  Here is where today’s "rationing" meets the need. The War on Terror began in 2001, and 2001 represents an excellent starting point for holding the line on non-military, non-security government spending so that a small portion of this country's wealth can go to those who will win this new war.  By freezing spending at 2001 levels (and this does not include the prescription drug benefit – which it should), 60 Billion is saved for proper constitutional use as described by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 23: "The principal purposes to be answered by union are these: the common defense of the members; the preservation of the public peace as well against internal convulsions as external attacks."

(in billions - data here)

The security of the United States in the 21st century will depend upon an increasingly skilled military capable of sophisticated and unconventional operations.  These patriots need to be paid appropriately.

Copyright ©  2006 Dan Hallagan. All Rights Reserved.