I Served for This?

On the day after the government and the US Air Force announced Ashli Babbitt will be granted full military funeral honors, I reflect and wonder what the hell did I serve this country for. A slap in the face for those of us that served our country without participating in an insurrection because some asshole gameshow host cried foul because he wasn’t elected as president and declared it had to be rigged against him. Surely those that loathe him must secretly love him in closet fashion, or at least that is what he portrays. He is the only one that could cause this country’s military to actually be weaker after he leaves office than when he started. Autocracy, Inc. (coined by Ann Applebaum in her book) is rising and on display as witnessed the last few days in China with all the autocratic leaders together in one place thumbing their noses to the West. Colluding on how to take over the world. It’s like some Mike Meyers Austin Powers movie what has been shown in these leaders that all must all have small man syndrome. Always proud of what I decided to do not only for the seven and a half years I was in the Air Force, but also the additional thirty years I worked for the federal government. On the flip side, there are people that serve a few years and for the rest of their lives feel just in thinking the government provide them the money that they can’t seem to gain on their own and their abilities.  I retired during Trump 1.0 because I couldn’t bring myself to serve any longer under the bullshit that was on display. It’s hard for me to imagine what Trump 2.0 is causing in the hearts of those that joined to fight against things like the insurrection on January 6, 2021. All things that sicken me in those serving and more so following their service and continue to take advantage of what they think is owed to them without really having a solid reason for it their sucking every cent they can get from the government. These people do not understand that the government is not some independent entity supplying them their benefits, every single person that pays taxes is who they are stealing from. Where has the honor gone in doing the right thing? These are the same ones that preach to those leaving service to apply for benefits as they’ll surely be able to bleed the country and taxpayers for more free money as they see it. What did I serve this country for?

I feel sorry for this generation. Everything is turned to political advisory and being blind to the fact that the enemy we should all be united against is the autocracy government that are silently combining their resources behind China and their hatred of Americans. Some say the whole western civilizations of democratic countries, but really about ninety percent of the hatred is directed at us. And why has it risen so much in the last nine years, it mostly has to do with Trump and the much-maligned Project 2025. Interestingly, I just ran across a Project 2025 Tracker website that says they have made 47% overall progress towards their 317 objectives and the 34 agencies involved.  Just go to project2025.observer to chart the progress. It’s pretty frightening to think that through what seems to be mostly chaos and distraction, they are achieving exactly what they want and far ahead of schedule. They are near 50% towards removing democracy and ruining this country for ever and they have done that inside of nine months. Their countdown still says they have 1234 days to accomplish their takeover. And for this I served?

We have a president that doesn’t care about the better life than the generation before type ideology. But he does believe in the grab everything you can before they catch me doing it. This country has elected it’s first and hopefully only criminal to be president. Rapist, womanizer, abuser, liar, cheat, con man and consummate bullshit artist. And the second time around he has convinced all republicans that if they oppose him, they will not be elected again. I challenge every one of them as I think there isn’t one set of balls between all of them, to stand up what they are hearing from their constituency. I figure an avalanche of good old-fashioned stand up against the tyranny of a single man and a group of billionaires that designed the Project 2025 plan.  The world is again laughing at us and for this I served, really?

Never has this nation faced an outlook of losing all that which this country was founded. Reduce taxation lining the pockets of a king. Freedom for men to choose a better life and the opportunity to better themselves and provide an avenue for their children to an even clearer and higher road. The ideology that all are created equal regardless of color, race, sexual orientation, or religion in pursuit of freedom. No idea serves the populace better than another. No one sits in judgement of another based on these ideologies. I once was proud of the advancements made towards inclusion, but today I’m just embarrassed to be lumped into any thought that I might think along the same lines. Our constitution is at risk of becoming a thought that was and no longer be the driving force for a united nation where we all have some level of peace in our lives. I volunteered to secure these ideas and ensure they not only remain but flourish. Is it possible to do this today? Can a man or woman feel good about service to this nation? Not when an insurrectionist gets full military funeral honors for trying to overthrow the government.

We have a man in charge of health and the CDC that doesn’t believe in vaccinations, but does believe every wacko conspiracy theory imaginable. But all is good because he took a photo op with the illegitimate Secretary of Defense and former television commentary idiot. The presidential fitness program being the promotion. Competing on who could do more push-ups and pull-ups and this being an indication of what it takes to be healthy, and pull-ups and push-ups are certainly all it takes to battle some disease sent to us by the Chinese. Makes me proud that I was capable of doing more than either during my days in the military where yearly we had to prove our physical fitness, not for a photo op, but because we might be required to carry the person next to us to safety.  I made sure the Constitution was secure through my thirty-seven and half years of service. Did I waste my time? The jury is out on that question.

Believe me, as a kid I didn’t grow up dreaming of serving the country. I was aware my dad served as well as several others in my family. In fact, I chose to go into the service because I thought it was the right thing to do for my newly married bride and the future of a family and my ability to care for all of them. I wanted to go to college, but I couldn’t see the pathway clearly. My observation was like many things in my life, via my dad. His life was pretty good; we lived well enough that we never wanted for anything. I thought that if I could follow in his footstep, I’d have a pretty good life. It took years for me to gain perspective on my I served and for the generational well-being for future generations. I see older people wearing ball caps and t-shirts proudly identifying what ship they sailed on, what squadron they supported, or what command they ground pounded in. I try to thank them for their service and I find it awkward when someone thanks me for my service at the checkout line at Lowes or other stores and restaurants. I wonder if they actually are thanking me or just doing what they were told to do by their management? That may be why I feel a hesitation and generally don’t know how to respond. My pride grows less and less each day, and I fear the direction this country is taking. I want to be proud of the majority of my life and what I gave to this country and not just be thankful for what it is providing me in means, the rest of my life. A pension, some life and health insurance, and the eligibility for social security. Did I serve to watch it all disappear in front of my eyes? It sure is feeling that is the truth of the situation. Does Ireland need a few good men?