Speaking up for troops

As a Vietnam veteran, I would tell Jan Polignoni (May 3) that she/he is one of many Americans who thanks and appreciates all that our military has done to keep its citizens safe and free.

As to why our government wants to cut money for the troops’ medical care, etc., I think it is because only about 30 percent of those Americans bother to vote, and even less contact their elected representatives. So government originally of, by, and for the people becomes government for special interests instead, usually multinational corporations that send lobbyists to Capitol Hill. They peddle influence for enormous tax breaks, generous subsidies and the right to export our jobs instead of benefits for our troops.

It helps little, too, that we follow a benighted doctrine of large-scale, long-term troop deployments to nation-build abroad and chase elusive insurgents in ways that bleed us like I saw in Vietnam, resulting in heavy casualties at great cost. Thanks for speaking up for our troops.

Philip Mulligan

Spokane