Thread: The Cost of War

I found this (see WSJ link below) a remarkable story. Generally speaking, when thinking of the costs of war, I don't think of tallying the years of "after war" costs... moreover, I certainly didn't think of how expensive it really was!

It's a long, but great read that addresses more than just costs. I recommend it.

Spouses, parents and children of deceased veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan received $6.7 billion in the 2013 fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. Payments are based on financial need, any disabilities, and whether the veteran's death was tied to military service.

Veterans' Benefits Live On Long After Bullets Stop - WSJ.com

The financial cost of war means nothing whan this country tottaly ignores the plight of the grunts that served.
Over 200K vietnam vets are homeless and live on the streets.
The mental tole has no price,no dollor amt.

If the politicians (presidents, congressmen, the Pentagon, and the vast military-industrial complex they represent) were required to commit their own children and relatives to war first, we'd have a lot fewer foreign entanglements, I guarantee you. Think what this country could accomplish domestically with all that money!

The costs of war can be somewhat calculated for nations. The price what it costs to all related people is beyond any calculations. No matter win or lose.

Seems the Canadian government aka "The Harper Government" are trying their best to reduce the post Afghanistan costs. Seems they have rejigged the disability pension benefits and made it difficult to get other assistance for things like treatments related to PTSD. They only need you when they need you.

Bob

Originally Posted by BobH

Seems the Canadian government aka "The Harper Government" are trying their best to reduce the post Afghanistan costs. Seems they have rejigged the disability pension benefits and made it difficult to get other assistance for things like treatments related to PTSD. They only need you when they need you.

Bob

The hypocrisy of yesterday's "Day of Honour" for Afghanistan vets was staggering.

If they were at all truly interested in honouring servicemen and women, then treating them well and fairly upon their return would be a good start. This government loves to wrap itself in military glory whenever it serves its purpose (its use of War of 1812 propaganda, rebranding the party logo to resemble the air force logo, paying lip service to vets, etc.) while at the same time cutting benefits and access to benefits as you said, switching from a life time pension to a lump sum payment for disability, sharing the personal information of vets to make a stand in efforts to discredit them via their personal medical files... it goes on and on.

The next election can't come soon enough.

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

If the politicians (presidents, congressmen, the Pentagon, and the vast military-industrial complex they represent) were required to commit their own children and relatives to war first, we'd have a lot fewer foreign entanglements, I guarantee you. Think what this country could accomplish domestically with all that money!

Bring back the draft with no deferments!

You will see congress and especially the republicans screaming for the VA to be turned on its head over the current waiting list issue. Yet they are the same ones that constantly underfund the VA claiming it costs too much. So here we are cranking out combat vets and putting them into a healthcare system that is bursting at the seams and underfunded, then bitching to hell and gone when it starts failing! Idiocy.

I will admit I have had some frustrations with my local VA admin in the past but always have been treated well and received good care. I would encourage any vet here to get signed up and stay current, whether you feel that you currently need it or not. The system is not as "friendly" as in the past, major changes were made in 2003 and losing benefits is a possibility now.

Financially speaking the best way to cut costs is to stop waring. No one in their right mind thinks cutting benefits for those that served, keeping promises that were made to those who volunteered or were dragged into service is the best way to cut spending. I am now pointing a finger at those in charge. We have lost control of the government and so we get what we deserve. Doing what's right is not what will get you elected and THAT is the reason we even have discussions like this. It amazes is me that we all have ideas about what should be done to take care of the symptoms but never look at how to solve the problem at it's core. We all allow this credit card with no limits to be used by those who don't give a hoot who pays the bill. Discussing how the card is used after the expenditures have been made is ridiculous. Yeah we need a war. But not against other countries. Not a war that will produce casualties we will have to care for the rest of their lives. Not a war over resources or profits. We need a war that puts common sense back in our spending. If multinational corporations and banks want to control a certain part of the world, let them pay for it. Not many would stand for these conflicts if they understood the real reason we get into them in the first place. Rant over. God help us.

You couldn't pay me enough to be a soldier...

I am pretty sure that those that do sign up voluntarily though, after they get done doing what they are paid to do, feel undervalued and deserve everything they get and much, much, more. But that's not how it works. You take a job, and you agree to the contract... and Bob's your uncle no matter how much you like or dislike it.

So sure, on an individual basis - many might claim its not enough. But in the aggregate... That's a whole lot oh money!!! A whole lot of money!

When you are drafted however... Well that's a whole other matter.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

The financial cost of war means nothing whan this country tottaly ignores the plight of the grunts that served.
Over 200K vietnam vets are homeless and live on the streets.
The mental tole has no price,no dollor amt.

You have any links proving that Pixel?

The self-promoting hillbilly arzes that claim they love the men and women serving, then won't look them in the eye when they want a job should be rounded up and sent. The difference is that now, and ever since Korea, those serving came home alone, or in dribs and drabs, not to the WWII tickertapes, but to a place that they didn't know. Today's fakes thanks them for their service, but do little to get them back iinto society, or a job ..

And, there isn't a weblink in the wold that can prove anything, sorry