The problem isn't Trump. The severe enlistment shortfalls happened on Biden's watch, not Trump's. Trump Trumpets patriotism at all his rallies, and he greatly increased military spending and readiness during his four years at the helm. He addressed the endemic problems at the VA hospitals. He didn't bug out of Afghanistan, and while he would have withdrawn, he would have removed American citizens and American friends before pulling out the troops. And Trump would have never countenanced the wokeness in today's military establishment. I'm no fan of Trump, but it's not Trump or the Republicans who have degraded military readiness and morale. Jim Dueholm
"Why would Republicans/conservatives lose faith in the military so dramatically in a period of only four years?"
Paul doesn't get it. The problem is Trump.
Trump rejects American goodness. Without American goodness, there is no reason for soldiers to feel pride in their service or traditions. After all, all countries except Costa Rica have military forces. American soldiers serve a higher purpose and are heirs to a more honorable tradition than are the soldiers of Ghana, Indonesia, or Italy... unless you don't believe that America stands for good, in which case soldiers are just bullies with guns.
Before Trump, there was at least one party, and often two, promoting patriotism. Trump downplayed American values, such as when he responded to a question about Putin's homicidal policies by saying "You think we're so innocent?" Today's 18-year-olds were 12 the last time the leaders of at least one party spoke regularly about American greatness -- the inspiring values, not the empty label -- and 4 the last time a sitting president did so. Why would they think their country is worth fighting for? Obama doesn't. Trump doesn't. Thanks to Trump, neither do the loudest Republicans on TV.
In a related point, I am convinced that Martha McSally's two defeats in Arizona's senate races are due to the fact that her strongest selling point when she was elected to the House in 2014 was her military record, and Trump eliminated military service as a political asset. Why should we be proud of her for flying missions when Trump and Obama both say that it's all a waste?
It’s not “our” military anymore. It’s theirs. The Oligarchs’, that is….
The problem isn't Trump. The severe enlistment shortfalls happened on Biden's watch, not Trump's. Trump Trumpets patriotism at all his rallies, and he greatly increased military spending and readiness during his four years at the helm. He addressed the endemic problems at the VA hospitals. He didn't bug out of Afghanistan, and while he would have withdrawn, he would have removed American citizens and American friends before pulling out the troops. And Trump would have never countenanced the wokeness in today's military establishment. I'm no fan of Trump, but it's not Trump or the Republicans who have degraded military readiness and morale. Jim Dueholm
"Why would Republicans/conservatives lose faith in the military so dramatically in a period of only four years?"
Paul doesn't get it. The problem is Trump.
Trump rejects American goodness. Without American goodness, there is no reason for soldiers to feel pride in their service or traditions. After all, all countries except Costa Rica have military forces. American soldiers serve a higher purpose and are heirs to a more honorable tradition than are the soldiers of Ghana, Indonesia, or Italy... unless you don't believe that America stands for good, in which case soldiers are just bullies with guns.
Before Trump, there was at least one party, and often two, promoting patriotism. Trump downplayed American values, such as when he responded to a question about Putin's homicidal policies by saying "You think we're so innocent?" Today's 18-year-olds were 12 the last time the leaders of at least one party spoke regularly about American greatness -- the inspiring values, not the empty label -- and 4 the last time a sitting president did so. Why would they think their country is worth fighting for? Obama doesn't. Trump doesn't. Thanks to Trump, neither do the loudest Republicans on TV.
In a related point, I am convinced that Martha McSally's two defeats in Arizona's senate races are due to the fact that her strongest selling point when she was elected to the House in 2014 was her military record, and Trump eliminated military service as a political asset. Why should we be proud of her for flying missions when Trump and Obama both say that it's all a waste?