Government Medical Care or No Medical Care: for Most the Choice is Clear

A group led by more than 60 generals, says an overwhelming number of young people don't qualify for military service; we examine the connection to U.S. healthcare.

Not exactly what today's military is looking for. Courtesy: momlogic.com

(MOLALLA, Ore.) - A report from the group, "Mission: Readiness", indicates that 75% of young Americans are not eligible for military service because they have either failed to graduate high school, engaged in criminal activity, or are physically or mentally unfit.

The team at "Mission: Readiness" includes U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, and other top retired admirals, generals and other military leaders.

This is the reality for about 40 million Americans. I’m sure many cannot see the connection to our current healthcare crisis, I will try to explain.

Historically Armed Service Volunteers are mostly from the lower economic classes. If one can’t afford college and cannot get an otherwise decent playing job after graduating from or quitting high school, armed service was ALWAYS the option.

NOW IT HAS ALL CHANGED!!

The latest news that 75% of possible volunteers are disqualified, is shocking. The reasons for this are ominous. One quarter are too fat. This is NOT because they eat too much or too well. If they don’t have enough money to go to a doctor, they don’t have enough money for a healthy diet including expensive protein rich meat. They also can’t afford fruits and vegetables and eat too much starch and potatoes all producing FAT.

They also have medically untreated asthma, bad eyes and mental health issues all treatable if they could get medical care.

Many lack necessary high school diplomas. If they have inadequate food, must work or have poor clothes they will quit school. Some have criminal records. All of the above deficiencies contribute to criminality.

This poverty in the lower classes is putting an increasing, almost unbearable, burden on the middle class. Rich folks can be exempt from all the above deficiencies. There are damned few rich kids in the Infantry and if they were they would be officers from College ROTC.

The high brass seem to think getting an education is important. It is even more so for the lower economic classes, but until they are properly fed, clothed, sheltered and have a modicum of medical care, the situation will get worse and the middle class will pay a high price for it again “through the nose”.

The miserable economy is putting more of our young in the armed services but this is a bad sign. There is almost NO TRAINING or experience in the armed services to train one for anything but the most menial jobs which DO NOT enable a decent living wage.

Right now at least 200 thousand veterans are homeless. Why not? Training for battle is not a marketable skill but it does eventually produce more poorly qualified veterans from the services.

This awful business is not fair to the middle class volunteers who must do the fighting and risk the casualties of those who through no fault of their own cannot share the dehumanity or burden of battle. Are we going to do something about it??? Probably not!!

HOORAH FOR MY DOGFACE BUDDIES!!

*********************************************

Dr. Phillip Leveque has degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology and minors in physiology and biochemistry. He was a Professor of Pharmacology, employed by the University of London for 20 years, during which time he trained the first doctors in Tanzania. After training doctors, he became an Osteopathic Physician, as well as a Forensic Toxicologist.

Do you have a question, comment or story to share with Dr. Leveque?
Email him: ASK DR. LEVEQUE
More information on the history of Dr. Leveque can be found in his book, General Patton's Dogface Soldier of WWII about his own experiences "from a foxhole".

Order the book by mail by following this link: DOGFACE SOLDIER OF WWII