I am sick to death of getting chain e-mails and Facebook notices all about

[the_sly_pig]

55. I wish I would have joined the Navy when I had the chance.

I think the military is a fine option for young people. It has great value and many benefits. People love all the rah-rah videos of mommy or daddy coming home surprising their loved ones. Maybe my kids might want to join.

Then I think about the possibility of some moron sending them off to war in another country, fighting and killing for some corporation, only to return home damaged because of the actions they had to take. You can't kill anyone without being changed inside forever. I would gladly pay more taxes to support military personnel in the healing process. Google 'military suicides per day' and the number is 22. How is that for honoring those that served?

Then I think of my uncle who was a marine in the early 1960's. He almost went to Cuba during the missile crisis. He never saw combat. After leaving the military he was a county government worker his whole career. His life has been completely financed by the American worker, including a pretty good retirement package. He is a vitriolic Tea Party member and a hypocrite.

I never joined the service, but I have spent 30 years in the workforce paying taxes. I have sacrificed, not in death, but in life. I have sold my time on this earth in 8 hour blocks and for a wage. I am certainly 'free' by the definition of some. I want to work on bicycles and make things out of wood. I can't because I won't be able to pay my bills. So I am not free. My freedom, therefore, has parameters by which I must abide.

And now freedom is defined by the percentage paid of annual income. Family doesn't matter, community doesn't matter. I guess my point is that maintenance of our country requires critical thinking. Critical thinking in this country is seriously lacking, as proof I present the volume of canard-filled e/mails celebrating false patriotism.