I agree with you entirely. Thank you.

Edit: While we’re on the subject, I’m going to voice an opinion. I think that if a person goes into literal combat, that person is now a permanent responsibility of the federal government and is guaranteed a decent life for eternity. Why? Because that person risked literally everything on behalf of everyone else. They risked having a family, living a normal life, mental health, permanent disfigurement, physical ability, and even actual existence. Many of those that went to war never made it back. The ones that did make it back are just like the ones that died, except they were the lucky ones because war doesn’t discriminate based on anything, just sheer luck. Those that survived should be guaranteed a decent life regardless of anything else. Mfing period.

What if they were jerks before joining the military? Stop recruiting jerks. What if they can work but don’t want to? That’s their choice. They volunteered for a position that provides an extremely young retirement age if they survive it. If that seems like an great deal, then sign up for it too. Maybe someone can support this person that clearly has a foundational value of sacrifice and service to their country to the point that they will eagerly sacrifice their life if asked to do so and help them navigate the system so that they can continue contributing how they would like in a manner that provides them fulfillment while also adds the community. What if they merely did it for the benefits of having a guaranteed decent life? Then it seems to have worked out for them. The ones that it didn’t workout for are dead. The assumed reason for their sacrifice is irrelevant because the actual concrete facts are that they did it. Someone had to do it based on our geopolitical situation. If we are a democracy, then we chose to send our own countrymen to war. Thus, it is everyone’s responsibility.

These aren’t criminals that need rehabilitation. These aren’t lazy parasites that are trying to get by off of everyone else’s labor and need to be forced to work by the fear of homelessness and ostracization. These are people that voluntarily agreed to take the toll of war for everyone else because the country went to war and everyone received the benefits. Veterans experience the damage 24/7 for eternity. They will never have what civilians have. So, the rest of us can help with that load by supporting them however needed. At the end of the day, we all get to go home without a care in the world for war. They can never escape it because it’s in them.

• When they look at their missing limb: war.
• When they get into a fight with their spouse: war.
• When someone tells them why they were going to join the military but didn’t: war.
• When they get called a baby killer by a stranger: war.
• When they see news about how there were no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq: war.
• When they wake up at night confused and drenched in a puddle of their own sweat: war.
• When they see Palestinian kids crying on TV: war.
• When they uncomfortably hide while an announcer asks veterans to stand at a sporting event so that the crowd can rid their own guilt and shame via a quick “salute our heroes” applause: war.
• When they go to the doctor and get dismissed for the Nth time: war.
• When they get played or betrayed by a co-worker: war.
• When someone accuses them of being lazy or selfish: war.
• When a civilian envies their benefits and implies that it’s not fair: war.
• When they can’t mow the yard because they feel too exposed: war.
• When they feel shameful because they risked their life in war but now don’t risk their life to mow the yard: war.
• When they get a speeding ticket because being in traffic is too overwhelming since it means they are stuck in danger: war.
• When they confusingly and intriguingly look at a civilian live so carefree: war.
• When they feel that they will never be an adequate partner or family member because of their limitations: war.

.

War. War. War. It’s all war. So what if nothing.

My exfriend that was a complete mess? He needs to be supervised and checked in on often. Give him a case worker that talks to him on a regular basis. Maybe they have lunch together once a week or whatever. The case worker has a cell phone and is on call in case my exfriend needs to speak with someone before doing anything stupid. If my exfriend starts dating someone again, the case worker meets with that person and they stay in contact as well. Ensure that they know what they are getting into and ensure safety. And like you said, if the government and citizenry doesn’t want to do that, then they should stop sending people to war. If they think it’s a great deal and want those benefits (compensation) for themselves, they can volunteer go to war. I say this as someone that is extremely anti-war, in part, because of what it does to the combatants and their families. Want to see it for yourself? Volunteer at an event for disabled veterans. Look at their faces. Look at their behaviors. Look at their friends & family. Feel the vibe.

How is this even a topic of discussion? How is this not evident? I don’t understand how we are having these discussions. The discussions should be how can we improve their lives. WTF. I need a break. I’m too heated rn. I may have gone overboard, so I might be back to tone it down later if I think it’s appropriate. Sorry.