Are living on welfare and joining the military similar desicions?

Question

The only differences that I can see between these two lifestyle choices is that someone who joins the military has to pass a drug test, but then gets to legally handle weapons, and that we spend MUCH more money on military spending than on welfare programs.

The similarities abound; both of these pools are filled with people who didn't have many/any other life prospects after the age of 18, or who have come from underpriviledged areas & educational backgrounds, both have given up some of their right in order to make their living off of your tax money, etc...

What other similarities do you see? Why must we publically 'support' the military, when our paychecks more than do that already?

Answer 1

people on wellfare don't have to work.  They are lazy and steal money and work the state's systems.

Those who go into the military work their bottoms off for our country!  They are hard workers and deserve much better pay!

Answer 2

I think SOMETIMES it can be a similar desicion.

But i know people that have wanted their whole lives to join the military. For their country. not just the benefits.

Answer 3

Joining the Military includes pride in what you do.  Signing up and collecting welfare is only a burden on Society.

Sitting at home doing couch duty, collecting a check for doing nothing, is a burden on all others, who pay taxes so welfare deadbeats can collect.

In the Military, at least you've put in a full days work for your paycheck.

Answer 4

Welfare is about receiving.

Military service is about giving.

They couldn't possibly be more different, unless you're a total idiot that thinks the military is a complete waste of money.

Answer 5

Only a Republican would liken military service to welfare.

Our soldiers join the military for periods of at least several years. People on welfare are usually on it for only a couple of months.

Soldiers are at least 18 years old. Most people on welfare are children who would otherwise starve.

Answer 6

Being one who has lived both sides of that coin, I would have to say that they are the same financially when you first start in the military. In addition, add in the people who throw credit cards and such at them because of their status in many ways places them in the welfare category. I have known military families on food stamps and SSI.

Yes in the military, you get to see the world but prices are worse overseas. Yes military get a living expense, well replace that as assistance housing for the welfare people. On base, everything is tax-free, off base food stamps are tax-free. Military families get free health care, however mostly children get free heath care as civilians. I view many things as civilian versus military life. There are allotting of the same and allot of differences. Each can learn from the other. It just also depends on family size, rank, and area they live. If each watches their money that is brought in and work it with what they have going out. They can be very much alike. Military do get some benefits such as larger discounts for being military because not everything is based on income qualification.

Now I have to say this about the welfare program. Yes, they are very messed up. they give money to drug and alcoholics , they give money to illegal immigrants and they give money to many who lie about their situations such as single mom's claiming the dad's are not around and they actually are around. Some women get pregnant on purpose to get more welfare and some people divorce to get assistance (I was told to do that and I refused) people on housing assistance have people living with them not on the lease and get money from those individuals which they do not report.  Why do I know this stuff? I have seen it, I have heard from people who have done it and I have reported on people for doing these things. The reason I do it is that my family keeps being shafted when we ask for just a little help.

Oh and a note about the drug test. Military people still do drugs and I knew a few that passed with tricks to cover the drug use. The worst to me is that military get just as dangerously drunk and yet they hold the guns. If you are military and under 21, you can drink as long as you stay on base.

Support for the military is still important because of our safety and that I understand the most. I have lost many friends from the military and family as well. However, I knew that they are the reason for freedom to choose, our freedom to be who we are. They are the reason we are safe. 9-11 was a wake up call one generation; desert storm was mine as a child as war war 1 and 2 were for others. We are always under fire because of how we are and we need to keep that still safe for the future generations.

to add those who call you an idiot. either they are blind or only know one side or neither. you are stating facts. facts that people of a lower income who lived both side understand where you are getting at and why you have these concerns. as far as the one who said welfare is recieving and military is giving. here is one way to look at it. they recieve discounts and previlaged from the beginning, but  who diserves more one who sits behind a desk and never connects to a war effert or the soilder who faught during that time. they are both military but work differant areas. welfare may be poor, but they can stilll be productive and helpful and giving. it may not be financially, but many give in their actions that can equal a military person. one being better than the other should not be the issue, but how they use that path. black - white, rich - poor, military - cilvilian, old -young, active or sit on their butts can we really judge without judging our own actions and the fact that we allow this to go on?