"Serving your country" (hell, Christ, organizations, Zen)

[Mercy Not Sacrifice]

We are constantly bombarded with the message that "The men and women in our armed forces are serving our country." There's one big thing about that statement that ****** me off:

Why the hell is this tagline exclusively used with the military? What about so many other people who do the very same thing but don't get this kind of credit?

The postal workers who must work rain or shine--do they serve our country?
The people working mundane desk jobs at a variety of government institutions--do they serve our country?
The teachers who have to deal with parents, pupils, politics, and pathetic pay--do they serve our country?
The police officers who protect and serve regardless of the danger--do they serve our country?
The people who operate the modes of mass transit--do they serve our country?
The politicians who make decisions based on genuine good will and not personal or corporate interests--do they serve our country?
The scientists who make life-changing discoveries--do they serve our country?
The doctors and nurses who devote themselves to improving and sometimes saving lives--do they serve our country?
The people who work at non-profit organizations--do they serve our country?

And another thing. Claiming that our troops "paid the ultimate sacrifice" or "laid down their lives" is a sweeping generalization. Some troops have done so, but thankfully, not all of them have. "Willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice/lay down their lives" would work a lot better, IMO.

Don't get me wrong, in most cases, I have the utmost respect for people who selflessly throw their lives on the line to defend the cause. With the exception of the police, few of these jobs carry the same life-and-death potential as a career in the military does.

But can we please get the job description right?

[ChristineES]

You do have a point, those other jobs do serve our country as well as the military. You don't need to get too angry though, it just needs to be brought to our attention. Besides, some of the military is far away from their homes and families.

[Aqualung]

Why should I serve my country when I think it's doing such a bad job serving its citizens?

[ChristineES]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Why should I serve my country when I think it's doing such a bad job serving its citizens?

The fact that it is doing such a bad job is an even better reason to serve your country, it is a way to help serve its citizens better. I for one want to be part of the solution. That is why I was in the Navy for almost 7 years. (my husband was in for 20 years and has retired).

[BFD_Zayl]

yes they serve our country, and they all have my gratitude, but they rarely need to face life and death situations every day, away from home. thats why the military generally gets more attention in that respect.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by ChristineES

The fact that it is doing such a bad job is an even better reason to serve your country, it is a way to help serve its citizens better. I for one want to be part of the solution. That is why I was in the Navy for almost 7 years. (my husband was in for 20 years and has retired).

But that would be helping them continue to do things they shouldn't be doing. Without an army they couldn't needlessly invade other countries. Without USPS other private companies could mail letters more efficiently and more cheaply. Without the mundane desk jobs there would less beaurocracy eating our money. Without teachers, the school systems would be privatised. Etc. I'm not going to help perpatuate these rediculuous and sometimes harmful institutions.

[kmkemp]

That is a terrible statement. Without an army, we wouldn't have a country and you can mark that down. In fact, there would probably be other countries that wouldn't have a country. The people that are laying their lives on the line for you would beg to differ. There are a great many of our troops that do not believe we should be in Iraq, I am sure, but they know that if they don't go that no one else will. In other words, they are putting your life and country on a pedestal higher than bigotry and politics. I think it would be respectful for you to do the same.

[Aqualung]

Originally Posted by kmkemp

That is a terrible statement.

It's only terrible if you think this country is perfect the way it is, which I don't.

Without an army, we wouldn't have a country and you can mark that down.

Sure we could. But it would be a much smaller military than we currently have, because we wouldn't have to worry about protecting our country, protecting other countries, and invading still other countries.

In fact, there would probably be other countries that wouldn't have a country. The people that are laying their lives on the line for you would beg to differ.

Good for them. They're entitled to their opinions.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by Aqualung

Why should I serve my country when I think it's doing such a bad job serving its citizens?

And nobody asked you to.