Conservative
A place to discuss pro-conservative stuff
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I, too, enjoyed my time in the military. And I agree, it does give you free at-point-of-service health care and housing. College wasn't exactly free, the housing allowance was kinda meager, but having my undergrad degree paid for was hella nice!
Still though, I don't think people should have to endure the bureaucratic bullshit of the military just for a shot at a better life. And there is a lot of bullshit. More importantly, they shouldn't have to potentially risk their lives simply to make it into the middle class.
While it was my shot out of living on $35 week to week, which has been more successful than I could have ever imagined, there needs to be other paths. And then, maybe people might be more willing to defend a country that provides opportunities for economic and social mobility than they are now.
Don't most of the European countries that provide all the stuff you want rely heavily on mandatory service and conscription?
I was stationed in Germany and met many people there. They have to do something like 9 months of service. However, their military service is not like the US. It is much more akin to being in the reserves, but instead of 2 weeks in the summer you do 9 months. There are also other types of service that are not military that will fulfill their mandatory requirements. Germany also has a much stronger social safety net and lots of social policies, i.e. healthcare and housing, that we do not get in the US.
Most of our allies have conscription.
I’d be willing to have stronger social society nets if we had conscription. Nothing is free.
I'd just oppose the conscription
Then I’d oppose paying for stronger safety nets. The military would be a good way to get these kids some jobs skills and education.