U.S. soldiers should be taken care of better

To the editor:

Joe Miller inadvertently revealed the neon elephant in the room. No, not the Tea Party-hijacked GOP, but the fact that our troops are so inadequately compensated that they are motivated to moonlight, and their superiors would rather permit this in lieu of decent wages.

The pride and protection of our country should not have to prostitute themselves as rent-a-thugs for such entities as “security and surplus” militia-affiliated wannabe groups, or anyone else for the matter, while on activeduty no less!

Our troops provide a priceless service and accept mind-boggling risks. Of the many billions allocated to military and war, an inadequate percentage goes for troop wages and benefits. Meanwhile, Halliburton-esque entities rake in the lion’s share for services insufficiently or not at all provided.

Remember troops begging parents to procure the missing ceramic inserts for their protective gear — and the military halting parents who mobilized to do so?

Remember troops aching with hunger and in dire need of various materials listed as shipped or “temporarily delayed” which were actually making the rounds of the black market and lining the pockets of the devil’s spawn?

Alaskans deeply appreciate our military. We want it strengthened, supported. Many of us have veterans or currently serving troops in our families, once served ourselves or wished we could have.

If those empowered to declare, prolong and fund war had to be first on the front line (along with their adult offspring) quick changes might be in the offing: tremedous progress in America back to our former state of economic power and worldwide respect due to implementation of ideas brimming the generations of young:

• Open minds now being killed off because we don’t adequately use the long-range weaponry more suited to the terrain on which we now fight;

• More success and higher troop morale due to properly distributed resources;

• A more expeditiously achieved route to peace.

End the shame of inadequate compensation of our troops. Make this a top priority. If we have money and physical supplies for other nations, even enemies, either for natural disasters or political maneuvers, we have it for Americans and America’s finest.

Decide the value of your life and remember who is protecting it!

Carol Neuerman

Palmer