- Taxation, just like any other agreement is backed by the threat of consequences. It could be financial, etc. If you don't pay your mortgage, they take your house. You made a deal. If you CHOOSE to be a U.S. Citizen (it is not free) then you agree to the terms and conditions of the laws, including taxation. This is true anywhere in the world and at a microcosm, even within households, sports franchises, etc. Consequences. By the way, the consequences for tax evasion is penalties, fines, and potentially imprisonment. Not death, pain, torture, or threat of death.
- Thanks for walking back on the nations comment.
- "voluntary exchange and consensual interactions is far more preferable" It is preferable, just not reasonable. We don't live in or have ever created a Utopian society. It is largely believed it is impossible based upon the current way large populations are wired (in the brain, that is).
- We don't honor the travesties of war. We honor those who fight to keep it away from our doorstep. Significant force is a deterrent. Lots of history there too. Lack of a significant force is a welcome mat.
- We agree ASVAB is a ranking tool. Now put yourself in the DoD shoes. You have 100 positions open and 400 ASVAB applicants who 'passed' the test. Do you take a random sample? No, you take the best. So, stating the 'passing' grade of 31 does not mean much. As you said it, it is a ranking tool.
- Of course a direct commander want drones. This has always been the case, but that is where the checks and balances come into place. General Patton was infamous for his soldiers following the rules. But in combat he also wanted creativity, bravery, and tenacity. He knew the balance and value of both. He also trained his soldiers like nobody else, both for discipline as well as proficiency in winning any way they could. Generals do want initiative, when it serves them. With the kinds of asymmetric warfare we tend to fight now, that is what wins.
- I will honor those who choose to sacrifice. Sacrifice without choice is just being in the way. Wrong place, wrong time. But the soldier who chooses to shield his buddies or an innocent civilian from shrapnel and is injured/killed. Yes, they have acted honorably. I won't tell you who to honor or why. I can only tell you how I assign that level of respect.
- I don't know what you experienced, but I am willing to bet it was not rose gardens and finger painting. There is some ugly stuff out there. I am not by any means saying we haven't done wrong. I think politicians can be callous and self serving at times. They are people after all. But one think I know, really know, is I sleep much better at night knowing our military might is standing guard against all aggressors. There are places right now where civilians are being shelled, families killed or worse, water poisoned, and all basic freedoms stripped. Starving and without hope or much of a future. I don't have to worry about foreign militants dropping bombs on my home tonight. Much of that is due to our military power and the soldiers who won't let that happen. I am confident you were in that mindset at one point and you would likely use the very skills your are lambasting, if a foreign power invaded and threatened the people of America. Soldiers are a lot like cops. You don't want them around until something really bad happens. Then you expect them to show up, fully equipped and trained, to save and protect you. There is a cost. It is not pretty, but there is a cost.
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