Is it because families are able to put their children through college so very few privileged folks are joining the military at this time? Those who are less fortunate (and color plays no role in when you are poor - poor is poor) join the military for the benefits - some just for a place to sleep and for meals. Others for the money for college and the ability to take care of themselves. All believe in our country and our right for freedom but not all are willing to fight for it. I believe the draft should come back into play - only add women to that as well.
Politicians have money, therefore, they are not able to represent the poor and middle class as they cannot relate to what it is like to live at a lower economic level where money is an issue. Would you send your kid to the army at this point in time if you had the resources to send them to college and can provide a nice comfortable home for them along with a car, clothes, fun money, etc. . . ? Probably not.
2007-11-11 06:10:38 · 39 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Military
because they probably have the inside scoop and know that the wealthy dont do that kind of stuff. thats for the poor folks. ever see michael moores movie regarding kids in high school in michigan i think who are targeted to join the military and the senators turned and walked away when he gave them an app for their sons and daughters? says it all if you ask me.
2007-11-11 06:14:43 · answer #1 · answered by trooper753 5 · 3⤊ 9⤋
Were you in the military, and do you know a wide variety of people who were? I was in the military, and yes I grew up poor, but I had a choice to get a scholarship to any college I wanted or go in the military, and guess what, I wanted to fight for something I believed in (my country) and I wanted to see the world. I met people from all walks of life, some who didn't need the Military's money, and some who did. Those who joined even though they were wealthy did it because it gave them a sense of purpose and made them feel like they were doing something with their lives besides spending their family's money. So, I think it is a wrong question to ask why NO very wealthy people join the military, you should ask why few do, and it is probably because they don't have a strong sense of patriotism.
2007-11-11 06:22:57 · answer #2 · answered by switchmama 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is not always the case, some but not many wealthy people do join the military. Unfortunately many people join the military so that they can afford to go to school and maintain a career. More wealthy people should join. Especially political families.
2016-05-29 05:31:46 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I knew plenty of people in the military who came from money. Its a personal choice to join the armed forces, and sometimes people chose to join out of patriotic inclinations or family tradition. And you might want to note that there are plenty of wealthy people who join (they become officers).
I personally didn't come from a lot of money. However, I didn't have to join the military, there were other choices I could have made to succeed in life. Joining the Army just happens to be the smartest choice I ever made. When I have children (and will have the means to provide from them with the benefit of the PhD earned by way of money provided by the military), I will encourage my children to also serve.
I think it is a great experience and instills wonderful qualities in a person. Being a service member is not about the money. Its about the honor, pride and tradition that goes along with wearing the uniform.
How unfortunate that you will never be able to understand that.
2007-11-11 14:29:29 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
So, what's your question? The wealthy have everything they want or need, so they don't have a "need" to join the military; also, in this day and age there is a very real chance they could die. Nobody in their right mind wants to die.
There have been a few of the wealthy that serve their country in time of war; however, those are few and far between. The common factor in those cases is "lower class" roots and a deep sense of patriotism. Those that have served and those that serve have my deepest respect for what they have done for this nation.
The draft is no improvement, as a draftee army is not as effective as a volunteer force. A more reasonable solution would be for any member of the ruling elite to have been a veteran and/or that a son/daughter would have to be in the military for them to take office. No "special projects" for that child; they would be subject to deployment as the needs of the military dictate. That would in my opinion reduce the use of the military as a diplomatic tool or a profiteering instrument drastically.
2007-11-11 06:24:23 · answer #5 · answered by AniMeyhem! 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Kinda its mostly because....wealthy people are not in the military because most military workers become government contractors later in life and then make the big bucks. Most join young and get their life training through the military and therefore are not wealthy because they are kids on there own. But the military becomes there family regardless if they came from a rich home or a poor one...its more in the eye of the beholder as to why someone joins. Maybe they are fighting for your and my freedom, maybe they like the feel of battle, or maybe they need to for money.
2007-11-11 06:16:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You haven't actually looked into this yourself. And you're relying on bad information.
Military enlistees are just as likely to be from the highest 10% of income families as they are from the lowest 10% (about 8%--which is under represented.
Also under represented are enlistees from famils who's income falls into the upper 50-75% income range. However, the 10%-25%, 25%-50% and 75%-90% income ranges are all over represented.
All margins are very slim, however, and are not statistically meaningful, as such it's a fair statement to make that military enlsitments are proportionately representaive of all income levels.
2007-11-11 07:59:20 · answer #7 · answered by RTO Trainer 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just recently left the Army. My background was from the lower class of society. Now most of the service members that I have worked with and encountered are from similar backgrounds. I have met a few individuals whom hail from a higher class family. The individuals with the higher class background mainly joined for family tradition, and they enjoy the military culture. While those from the lower class, like myself joined for the nearly free school, free lodging, and steady paycheck. We also believe, if we stay in long enough, we can become govt. contractors after retirement.
2007-11-11 06:45:48 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
FYI there are exceptions to your rule....my son is a Marine. He could have had a guaranteed 4 year college program with spending money and a nice car. My income puts me in the top 3%. Not all "rich" folks opt out of military service.
2007-11-11 09:30:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What is it? About 2% of the Population is wealthy? So, the majority of the military is from the other 98%. There are people who are wealthy that join to serve their country. Even Elvis was a tanker stationed in Germany.
2007-11-11 06:26:53 · answer #10 · answered by Rawbert 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
hmm... there are some people with money that join the military for the purpose of serving their country but as you said poorer people are more likely to because of the benefits. but you shouldn't enact a draft, it should be the persons choice to risk their life for their country. the country shouldn't make that decision for them because that isn't democratic which is what our government is based on. if you had the chance to go to college on your own instead of being in the military it is quite obvious that you would chose that, why make your life harder and more stressful than it needs to be. good question though i agree with most of your points
2007-11-11 06:21:40 · answer #11 · answered by o7dmacko7 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋