Why are Americans so willing to give their children's lifes

[soupkitchen]

to their country but not their money?

[punpirate]

1. You might rephrase that...

... since most _average_ Americans do both. The wealthy try very hard to do neither.

Cheers.

[ComerPerro]

2. Isn't it obvious?

Money is more important then human life.

Besides, they are swept up in the jingoistic, nationalistic bullshit propaganda hype. They have been fooled into believing that the wars of Haliburton are noble.

[Brucey]

3. Patriotism and greed.

The children of the rich rarely die in wars. The middle income earners pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes than do the wealthy if you count all taxes (sales, real estate, etc.).

[ComerPerro]

4. But I think the point was

One, its a given that the children of the wealthy don't fight in wars.

and

Two, many FReepers are not wealthy, but in the middle class, and do not want the government to have any of their money (unless its going to be used to spread Christianity or fight wars)

[pippin]

5. correction

Regarding your statement "The children of the rich rarely die in wars . . ." the special priviliges the rich invent for themselves is a recent thing. Historically, the rich, the upper classes and the aristocracy were very involved in the defence of their countries. The Kenedys had three children on active duty during WW II and lost two. Bush senior did not evade the call to duty. The sons of the English aristocracy were wiped out in two world wars, and our "aristocrats"-- the Hollwood stars-- led the way to service in the wars <except Ronnie.>

There was an ethic now gone that if you were rich or priviliged it was your duty to serve. In our time, the underlying philosophy is that if you are rich or powerful the rest of the world can go f... themselves.


To paraphrase Barbara Bush: why should I bother my beautiful mind with body bags or the number of people dying?

[mbali]

6. But they're not giving their children's lives

It's easy to talk the big talk about war and patriotism when you have nothing at risk and nothing to lose.

[Pepperbelly]

7. YOUR children's life ...

not their own.

[cliss]

8. Good point.

Remember the British when the troops deaths started adding up, around May of this year? They were out in the streets, demanding to get their soldiers home. They took their case to the BBC, which caused an unraveling of Blair & his henchmen, which crossed the Atlantic & hit Bush just as he was about to take off for Africa.

But in the US - deadly silence. I was really surprised that the Europeans would be so upset about their deaths (and they have had fewer casualties), and that the US would react with silence.

[uptohere]

9. the children are 18 and free to choose

and we do give a lot of money.

Most significant, there are some things that only people can do.