[Publib] U.S. Army Pursues Homeless Youth

[Robert L. Balliot]

Great comments!

 

This got me thinking about the impact of the GI Bill on

the US economy.  It is my understanding that there was

immense opposition to the concept of providing funds for

advanced education to those who would be considered by the

elites to be the 'great unwashed'.  But, vets entering

colleges and Universities created jobs, innovation, and

helped the nation prosper both economically and 

intellectually.  Would we have had the intellectual 

capital to put a man on the moon without it? I don't

think so.

 

It was a great investment not only for individuals, but

for the country.  

 

I think that the point being made earlier, however, is

more of a commentary on how we do spend money.  I don't

think that offering homeless $20,000 to be in harms way

is based on making them prosperous or productive, but

more a point of recruitment. Hopefully productivity and

prosperity will be a result of the transaction. Of

course, so could getting hurt or killed.

 

If we were not spending the money on war and instead were

spending it on energy independence and rebuilding infrastructure,

it seems that otherwise capable people who just happen

to live under bridges, would have other opportunities - such

as building bridges. We all would. 

 

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Robert L. Balliot

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Bristol, Rhode Island

http://oceanstatelibrarian.com/contact.htm

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-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org]
On Behalf Of Fred Beisser
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 12:02 PM
To: jgehner at hhptf.org
Cc: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: Re: [Publib] U.S. Army Pursues Homeless Youth

 

Does it matter for what reason the homeless or others sign up for 

military service?  Some may become heroes but most will be just one 

person among the 1.4 million or so in uniform that we have on active duty.

 

It seems to me that it is a personal economic choice to either remain 

homeless and late in life die under a bridge during a cold Minnesota 

night or to have income, health care, direction in life, maybe learn a 

useful occupation. Yes, even the armed forces on the front lines learn 

such things as security, communications, logistics,  leadership and 

organizational skills that transfer well into the civilian world and 

post-service into a reasonable job and an acceptable standard of living 

if that is what they want. Even better, each will have an excellent 

opportunity for access to higher education either during 

military.service or after when they can, if they choose, use their 

veteran's benefits.

 

And, come to think of it, their departure from a homeless shelter 

reduces social costs and their military service contributes to better 

national security. And we gain a productive citizen in the long run.

 

Fred Beisser

Parker, CO

 

 

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