ONE OF THE LEAST POPULAR IDEAS IN AMERICA

We are a nation with two recently “discovered” problems: First, we don’t like to pay for what we get when we get it, preferring to rely on credit (or fantasy). Second, we optimists tend to ignore the struggles of others, which has led to a bizarre abstraction of lack of interest in the public over our current wars! These two issues as a matrix have revealed a profound imbalance in our lives.

You will probably not be surprised that I am about to argue for an unpopular new idea that has surfaced in the White House, supported by a minority of both parties. Let me share the context first, since many will hate the proposal while missing the brilliance within it.

At the same time the war in Afghanistan began, we heard from our politicians that after the economic stoppage of 9/11, we would be doing our nation a favor if we went shopping and to entertainment and investing again. Economically, this makes sense. But we were sending people to risk their lives, and many to lose them. Not to condemn the politicians for their realistic appeals, but we were being encouraged to ignore the pain and fear and consequence in the commitment. Sound familiar?

Now some scholars on both sides of the aisle suggest we pay for an increase in troops with a tax. We, of course, will be suffocated by politicians and media criticizing the nature and math of the tax, without realizing how wise it is that there be some kind of payment that we will all participate in.

I never want my country to send people to risk their lives without in some way sharing the cost. Yes, I can donate to the United Methodist Chaplain services, and can send items to the soldiers. But in the World Wars, there were far more impacting demands put on the civilians back home that not only helped the soldiers, they spread the cost to every civilian.

I doubt the tax will pass through our phalanx of divisive, self-serving politics. But it is worth contemplating. How much do we want to be the United states? How much will we do together? What would we be willing to do to work as a union for each other’s safety and well being? More than just sending someone else and forgetting about it?