The Cost of War - 1

"Sequestration costs GIs Tuition Assistance" reads the headline in the Denver Post for 3/15/13.  While that is BAD for the GIs who were planning to return to school, I wonder if that is really BAD.  

I wonder if the ongoing costs of war, especially greed-motivated war like we indulged in in Iraq, simply costs too much.  Maybe the COSTS that are being felt now as veterans return with PTSD, missing limbs, unemployment, ongoing physical and mental and emotional trauma are just too high.  

Add to that the ways we slap our combat military in the face by hiring contract killers at five to ten times the salary our poorly paid soldiers, marines and sailors make while sending the more poorly paid guys into the nastiest situations while using the mercenaries for the more cushy jobs.  Our government, under both Republican and Democrat leaders, create dissidents every day.  

But, you say, we have to keep our munitions makers in business.  We must keep our shipyards busy.  Sure, it costs a lot to run a war, but we might need these businesses someday.  

Of course, I wonder about the military-industrial complex that gets fat and happy while troops at the pointy end of the stick are dying for less than minimum wage.  How patriotic are these companies and executives?

What do you think about the cost of war?  Leave a comment and let us know.