‘America First’ means evaluating real cost of our wars — and who pays the ultimate price

There are far too many people of power and influence in our nation who have never met a war they did not love, profit from in some way, or both. The vast majority of these people have never served in the military, never walked point in combat, never supported special operations, never worked in country undercover — nor have any of their family members.

Since the draft ended back in 1973, not serving in or around the military has become the norm for the vast majority of Americans. We must never forget the Americans who have continually enlisted in the military or honorably worked in the intelligence community since the end of the draft, stepping into harm’s way for the good of the nation.

These patriotic young men and women are not meaningless statistics or cheap disposable pawns. They are human beings who hope and pray to have full lives of their own. They are sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and grandchildren. And should they be killed or wounded in combat, those who will grieve for them will forever be broken.

In a very real way, the young men and women who serve our nation in combat or in our various three-letter agencies are our most valuable commodity. They stand watch on a wall most shun.  They are our protectors. The neocons, politicians and pundits aching to send them into danger, often living in bubbles of entitlement and........

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