Today was yet another exciting day in Oklahoma, actually a good deal colder than previous- but then again, this is the weather in OK- one day a t shirt, the next a parka. At any rate, the week is proceeding well, glad to hear that my kids are doing good! Max continues to be smart as a whip (whatever that means), and Emma is her chatty, bright self. So good to know all is more or less well there.
In other news, the internal debate continues over whether to reenlist or not. For the first time in life I find myself siding with Republicans, and not just because of their thoughts on government spending. The Democrats want to cut spending in the government. This is not really a bad thing, I think. Let's find ways to do things more efficiently and at lower cost- that's a good way to run a government, I think. However, the typical Democrat record is to start with the military. I'm not exactly an impartial observer here, but it seems to me that there are a few other areas that could use a few cutbacks. Useless people up on the Hill who do little else except take up space comes to mind, but that wouldn't be nice. However, it is true that military spending could use a few changes, and there are areas that we could certainly cut back on- less waste, more durable gear, things of that nature. Unfortunately, the philosophy on military spending is why buy one when you can get 10 for ten times as much? Cutting out a good deal of this overhead, as well as some of the less functional DOD contractors, would probably produce a surplus well into the next decade.
But herein lies the problem- the Dems don't think like that. (Neither do the Republicans, it seems). Instead of attacking the overhead, they start attacking new enlistments, and trying to get people discharged from the Army. So the rule is, keep the huge bloated contracts that we really don't need anyway, make a huge stink about DADT, and then try to screw people out of a job. American capitalism at work, guys- I don't understand it either. However, reenlistment bonuses are drying up, it's getting more and more difficult to enlist, let alone reenlist, and so it goes that the Army is suddenly not as stable a job. However, I still have a couple years left on my contract, and it seems highly unlikely that those of us in now will be discharged prior to our term being up, barring something like a medical discharge, disability or something of that nature.
However, the reason that so many people are trying to get into the military (combine this with the previous, and it's a recipe for disaster) is the complete and utter lack of jobs in the civilian sector. Let's face it, the stimulus plans and big-business bailouts have accomplished two things- jack and shit. And jack left town. I hate to criticize the President (actually am not allowed to either), but come on! Where was that ray of hope when he took office? Seems like it's been one comedy of errors after another, and the people are left holding the bag.
I suppose I could go on and on about how sweeping reform is needed in Washington, and that would be a song I don't doubt we've all heard before. At this point, if I can reenlist (if the politicians don't manage to completely snafu this one up) I'll request a duty station a little closer to New England, as that's where my family is. Apart from that, otherwise I'll be pursuing a civilian career in truck driving- stick to what you know, I guess. Besides which, I hear there will always be freight to move, as long as people need to eat, fuel vehicles, and all that kind of stuff. So there will always be work for the willing- maybe not great work, but work nonetheless.
But back to the Republicans and Democrats. From here it seems to be both of these parties have gotten so farcical, it's like a New Yorker cartoon come to life. The problem is, these monkeys have the power. And that's what really scares me.
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