What is the government willing to let you die for?

Answer 1

This is a fascinating question...one that the highest levels of leadership in our country debate daily. U.S. National Strategy is founded upon the concept that some things are worth risking national blood and treasure to protect.

Exactly WHAT those particular things are is the endless question with countless answers. Just what are the VITAL INTERESTS of our nation? Is oil one of them (or more specifically, the global supply and distribution system)? Some contributors on this board seem to think it is not.

Is the political stability (or even the political structure and government type) in the Middle East a vital interest of the U.S.? Could unrest or turmoil "over there" impact our way of life here? Could it place our way of life (or even the lives of our citizens) in jepardy?

These are the questions that drive the decision to use military force...to commit troops...to put our lives at risk (let us die). Our current elected leadership has made some of those decisions. Not all Americans (indeed, not all humans) agree with those decisions.

Each and every one of us in uniform, however, (since 1975) serves of our own free will. Each of us raised our hand--and swore (or affirmed) to obey the orders of the officers appointed over us. We did so without reservation and without compulsion. There are no conscripted military members in the United States armed forces.

But don't ask the wrong question...don't ask, what do we risk lives for. Ask instead: What dangers on this earth today place the vital interests of our nation at risk? What is worth our country's blood and treasure? Those are the key questions. I ask myself those questions every day...and my answer has always been in my right hand--I've raised it 4 times in my 22 years in uniform to extend my willingness to serve.

Answer 2

For those who still stupidly think it's all about oil and don't want to actually research anything or look beyond their noses, I'll give you an update : 4 years later and what do'ya know... gas prices are still the highest they have ever been!! Where exactly are America and GWB reaping these massive oil benefits that all the liberals seem to think we're fighting for.
How about this question instead:
What are you willing to die for?
Or even better, because thats just a stupid general question that Hallmark and music have made worthless.
What are you willing to fight for?
or What are you willing to actually take a personal risk for?
If it ain't the country and the principles that allow you to talk a bunch of liberal crap or conservative crap or any other crap you feel like... then don't join the military... just that simple!
Don't worry... there are more than enough of us out there who will do the job for you, take the risk for you, fight for you... wouldn't want people to chip a nail or anything!!

Answer 3

The question should be, "What values do you have that you are willing to die for?"

I am afraid that there are very few sacrifices that Americans are willing to make for their own security... and we will pay for this weakness in the future.

It seems that many of the responders to this question have listened to too much high school thought processes and do not understand the true balance of power or political implications in the mid east.

Answer 4

freedom of a nation from a tyrannical dictator

where the hell did this war for oil bullshit start

thats like saying we conquered germany for bratworst

Answer 5

We want "control" of the oil spigot so we can turn it off to other countries when we want.

Answer 6

If you signed the contract......anything they deem necessary for one to risk his or her life....I signed it I am alive some of my friends arn't freedom isnt free God Bless Them

Answer 7

oil

Answer 8

oil and whatever GWB wants