June 12, 2005 | WASHINGTON (FP) -- President George W. Bush, reacting to a growing recruitment problem affecting the U.S. Military, announced a multi-state intensive tour to persuade young people to enter the military and their parents to view the military as an acceptable option.
"The fact of the matter is that if we don't solve this problem, recruiting is going down big-time. We need to solve this problem so that doesn't happen," McClellan said, in annoucing the tour.
In a pre-tour discussion that could indicate the administrations approach, Bush discussed current troop levels and what could happen if recruiting numbers do not improve.
First in a fantasy series: What if we had a real President?
"See, our constituents have put us into office to solve problems now. That's what they've done. They said, we've elected you to go to your statehouse, or in my case, Washington, D.C., to solve problems. The people expect us to confront problems without illusion. They expect us to lead with conviction and confidence, not by reading the latest poll or listening to the latest focus group. And above all, they expect us to deliver results."
"We'll continue to work to improve security here at home, but in the long-term, in the long run, the best way to protect America and to keep the peace is to change the conditions that give rise to hopelessness and extremism. And the best way to do that is to spread freedom around the world."
"Strong leadership means rising to the challenges of the day. It also means looking down the road. There will always be problems that arise unexpectedly; yet problems -- some problems are completely predictable. And as leaders, you and I have a responsibility to confront those problems today, and not pass them on to future generations."
"Sadly, this is a challenge that falls heavily on the shoulders of the generation now in its late teens and twenties, from them we need much. We must have their aid, and as a leader, I have the responsibility to ask for it."
=
=
=
=
=
=
=
==
Authors Note: All quotes are real except for the last paragraph, although the McCellan quote has been doctored from refering to SS solvency.
Whats the point: A real President would recognize the situation we are in today, and do something about it.
Social Security may be a problem 40 years from now, national security is a problem today. Even if, or especially, if you believe invading Iraq was the right move, the military recruiting crisis is important to our future national security: our enemies have watched Iraq, and learned. Kim Jung Il is probably taking notes.
Why doesn't he ask? Why doesn't he go out there and make more speeches about this kind of thing, and take the plea to those who can do the vital work of carrying the guns and manning the tanks?
I think this is for two reasons.
First, it makes him look bad - even Bush apologists don't sound like they've persuaded themselves to be proud of Bush's military service. Recruiting, asking for real sacrifice, gets far closer to the heart of that than does playing dress up and 'prancing' about a carrier.
Second, Bush has called for sacrifice, but it has always been sacrifice on the part of someone else or someone else's family than his wealthy donors. The rubes can be persuaded with guns, god, and the flag, but the upper middle class and wealthy don't want their lack of participation in a war they claim to believe in thrown in their faces. Jenna and Barbara would be in an uncomfortable position, as would the children of many constituents. That can't happen, so Bush won't speak out too loudly on this.
If we had a real President, with real convictions, he would.
But we don't.