America's War Culture: Steak for the Pentagon, Beans for the Rest of Us

The US Government’s War Against Its Own People:

A Misdirection of Resources for All the Wrong Reasons

(Matthew chapter 5, verses 5, 9) by Rev. Paul J. Bern

Check out my author page (Christian nonfiction) at https://www.amazon.com/author/revpauljbern

All across America these days, we have several things in turmoil all at once. First, we have rampant discrimination, where women, people of color, minorities and immigrants still only earn two thirds as much as Caucasian men do. Moreover, institutionalized racism still exists where there should be none, and especially not in the 21st century.

Welcome College Students! Here’s Your Payment Book….

Second, we have institutionalized unfairness, where only the kids from the wealthiest families get a chance to obtain a college degree. Everybody else has to take out predatory student loan(s) that can never be fully repaid. These fresh college graduates face a lifetime of indebtedness. They have all simply wanted to better themselves, and this is what they get? Financial slavery?

Inequality Everywhere

Then, there is the scourge of inequality, where only those who can afford private medical insurance have full access to treatment. As a result, we have an entire country that is chronically sick. The sickest ones are those who are uninsured due to low wages, which is prevalent in the American workplace. This does not include the fact that there is a mental health epidemic going on in the US today, where at least one out of every four citizens is in need of treatment of one kind or another. It seems that life in America today will drive you crazy if you let it.

The State of America vs State of our Military

OK, everybody hold that thought while I point out how drastically out of balance life in America is today. As I write this, congress is spending $858 billion dollars on weapons and war for fiscal year 2023—the largest Pentagon budget in history. President Biden is expected to request even more for next year. How is all this money being spent? Here’s two examples:

(1) Our Newest Nuclear Attack Submarine

The Virginia class, also known as the SSN-774 class, is a class of nuclear-powered cruise missile fast-attack submarines in service in the United States Navy. Designed by General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) and Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia class is the United States Navy's latest submarine model, which incorporates the latest in stealth, intelligence gathering, and weapons systems technology. Virginia-class submarines are designed for a broad spectrum of open-ocean and littoral missions, including anti-submarine warfare and intelligence gathering operations. They are scheduled to replace older Los Angeles-class submarines, many of which have already been decommissioned. Virginia-class submarines will be acquired through 2043, and are expected to remain in service until at least 2060, with later submarines expected to remain into the 2070s. They cost $2.8 billion dollars apiece! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia-class_submarine

(2) Meet America’s Newest Aircraft Carrier

The newest US aircraft carrier is the USS Gerald R. Ford. Ordered in 2008 and commissioned in 2017, the USS Gerald R. Ford embarked on its maiden deployment in October 2022, years behind schedule and billions over budget. The Gerald R. Ford class is a class of nuclear powered aircraft carriers currently being constructed for the United States Navy. The class, with a planned total of ten ships, will replace the Navy's current carriers on a one-for-one basis, starting with the lead ship, Gerald R. Ford, replacing Enterprise?(CVN-65), and then eventually taking the place of the existing Nimitz-class carriers. The new vessels have a hull similar to the Nimitz-class, but introduce technologies since developed with the CVN(X)/CVN-21 program, such as the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), as well as other design features intended to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, including sailing with smaller crews. This class of aircraft carriers is named after former US President Gerald R. Ford. The first ship of the class, CVN-78, was procured in 2008 and commissioned into service on 22 July 2017. The second ship of the class, John F. Kennedy?(CVN-79), is expected to be commissioned into service in 2024. They cost $13 billion dollars apiece! Read the full article at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_R._Ford-class_aircraft_carrier

How Does the US Military Intend to Use These Weapons?

So what is the Pentagon going to spend that $868 billion on, and why do we need so much of it? Let’s list our enemies and their potential harm to America. First is, or was, Russia. The US has literally thousands of nuclear-tipped missiles of all types aimed at the former USSR. But Russia’s invasion and takeover bid of Ukraine have proven Russia to be a paper tiger. If Russia’s ICBM’s (intercontinental ballistic missiles) that are aimed at the US don’t work any better than the rest of Russia’s army has in Ukraine, I don’t think America has very much to worry about.

What About China?

Then there is China, the world’s most inhabited country. I call them ‘copycat China’ because many of the weapons possessed by the Chinese military appear to be nearly identical to their US counterparts. Their jet fighters, bombers, and most of their ballistic missiles all look just like ours. China engages in a great deal of corporate espionage that spans the entire globe. China has even imitated the US space program by landing a robot on the far side of the moon. Unfortunately for the Chinese, the craft stopped working after only a few weeks. America has already been there, and we will be sending a manned flight to the moon later this year. So China isn’t much of a threat, provided that America remains vigilant against China’s espionage apparatus.

There Is a Better Way

Contrast that $868 million with a quote from my newest book release, “What We Want and Why We Want It” by this author. In it there is an analogy of one day’s military expenditures that could be redirected to far better education, free medicare for all, and ending homelessness. “If America took all the money for one day’s military expenditures, such as maintaining over 700 military bases worldwide, and devoted those funds to education instead of waging war, there would be enough money to finance the educations of every student in the entire country, starting at pre-K and ending with the first 4 years of college. It’s time to put down the guns and download some books instead.

In another example, if America took all the money I just wrote about and used those funds for housing the homeless, there would be enough money to move every homeless family in America into a basic, 3-bedroom 2 bath house fully stocked with groceries, and with all the utilities paid up for the first year. Those are just two examples, hence the title to this piece.

Enough Is Enough

Don’t you agree that endless money fuels endless war, often at the expense of human needs at home and abroad? Everybody except for a tiny minority is sick and tired of all the wars that benefit only a select few. Jesus said it best, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called ‘the sons of God’”, and again it is written, “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth”. (Matthew chapter 5, verses 5-9) Your voice is needed at the ballot box, or in the streets when necessary, to convince Congress to rein in military spending and make a meaningful investment in sustainable peace, and preventing violent conflict around the world.

Since you enjoy my writing, consider supporting me and thousands of other writers by signing up for a free membership. Authentic Christian ministry without the trappings of organized religion. You’ll get full access to “The Social Gospel Blog” and the Social Gospel Worship and Learning Center’s archives; plus Christ-centered leadership, guidance, life lessons, and the true life and resurrection of Jesus Christ, all delivered to your inbox twice or more weekly, plus other extras whenever available. This blog and newsletter is only possible because of readers like you. Subscribe here. It's easy!