OCCUPY THE ARMY

Our society has several problems, right?

Problem One: We have a group of intelligent, well-educated young people who suddenly find themselves with no career whatsoever:  They either have no job or find themselves at five in the morning towing monumental dollies laden with gross after gross of boxes of sugary flakes or chex or Os or shreds or clusters (and/or nutty versions of all the above) to the towering banks of cereal which line the entryways of the superstores.

Problem Two: We have a military that is largely if not entirely right-wing. (There are quite a few doctors and other sorts of technical experts in various branches of the military. However, they're generally if not always Republican. Often quite decent people, I hasten to add. Personally, that is. )

In other words, we've let the wrong people get hold of the guns. Who do I want looking after our weapons? Quiet thoughtful types who nevertheless know how to win a fight if they have to. The rank and file of the military should not be so long on resentment, so short on logic and education.

Problem Three: (It may not be a big deal to you, but it is to some people, believe me.) All the branches of the military are having trouble recruiting. They've had to lower their standards drastically to get enough people to join up.

Problem Four: Who will the Republican presidential candidate be? Moot the Robot Grinch? Sanctitytorum? Hoo. Hee. Hoo hee hah hah.  Whooo-ee. No, seriously, some people are asking, Where does Occupy America go next?

I propose one solution to all four problems.

The military needs recruits They need recruits so badly, you can often swing a sweet deal for yourself. They will train you, pay for your education, and pay you while you're learning. Often, if you show promise, they will train you in esoteric disciplines you had never even thought of before.

There is the risk of getting blown up in some fat stupid politician's meaningless war, true.  I would point out that most members of the U. S. military never even see battle.  (Although they are all heroes, of course.)

It occurs to me that if enough out-of-work well-educated young people joined the military, they would sway its politics. If they're as good as they think they are, they would rise through the ranks rapidly. They might even be able to take back control, and restore reason to military behavior.

So I say, Don't give up.

Occupy the army.