Elites no longer serve

Fri., Oct. 5, 2012

Since 9/11 many service members have done multiple tours in Iraq or Afghanistan, in some cases eight or more. Mitt Romney castigates President Barack Obama as soft, but portrays himself as tough.

To me, this means members of our volunteer forces would serve even more tours if he’s elected. What bothers me is that tough talk is cost-free when other people’s children carry the burden (I was drafted in 1972, did six years), yet neither he nor any of his five sons has served this country in uniform.

In World War II, the elites served: Henry Cabot Lodge, a sitting U.S. senator; the Kennedys; President Franklin Roosevelt’s son Elliott; and Ted Williams, to name a few. What has changed?

Romney, the 47 percent that you (falsely) claim only take and don’t contribute aren’t the only freeloaders!

Kent Nedderman

Spokane

Letters policy

The Spokesman-Review invites original letters on local topics of public interest. Your letter must adhere to the following rules:

No more than 250 words
We reserve the right to reject letters that are not factually correct, racist or are written with malice.
We cannot accept more than one letter a month from the same writer.
With each letter, include your daytime phone number and street address.
The Spokesman-Review retains the nonexclusive right to archive and re-publish any material submitted for publication.

Unfortunately, we don’t have space to publish all letters received, nor are we able to acknowledge their receipt. (Learn more.)

Submit letters using any of the following:

Our online form: Submit your letter here
Mail: Letters to the Editor
The Spokesman-Review
999 W. Riverside Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
Email: editor@spokesman.com
Fax: (509) 459-3815
Phone: (509) 459-5430