As someone who is a veteran this is a complicated issue for me. I love America(what it used to be anyway) if some foreign adversary attacks this country I would feel compelled to fight for this land. That being said, our elites, our politicians, and whoever is running the show are not a good reason to fight. The wars in the Middle East are a waste for Americans and are only being waged to pad the pockets of those I mentioned previously. These wars don't represent you or your interests, honestly I debate in my mind whether or not I'd be willing to pick up a gun to fight against China(I mean at this point what would be the difference between their rule and the future of America?). Why should the people who are despised by the elites and politicians fight for them? Why is it that we should bail them out whenever their policies cause blowback? Why should Red State Kids die in Blue State wars? "Defending" "America" is no longer an acceptable answer 1 because the wars don't do that and 2 the America we believe in hardly exists. If COVID has taught me anything it's that America isn't free and all of the Red State kids that fought for this country have had their sacrifices wasted. I don't say that off handedly or lightly, because I understand how insulting that last sentences is, especially to those who have family members who gave their all. I hate that our liberty has become a joke and I hate that Blue State people can vote it away. I hate that Blue State people can cause a situation where they are in danger and then demand Red State kids to fight for them(draft). I think the next time they have a call to arms or a draft the people in the Red States should sit down and tell them to fight for themselves. If you have family members in the military I would encourage you to ask them to leave and if you have family members thinking about joining I'd ask you to encourage them not to do it. The military of your mind and what it represents is likely gone. It's time for those of us who actually care about America to be honest about the situation and see the light that our politicians are evil and should not be trusted. I loved the Marines I served with and it would kill me if any of them had died knowing what I know now. I was extremely fortunate that I didn't lose anyone on my deployment in Iraq. Seeing our country the way it is is disgusting to me and this last year has been a hard year to feel patriotic at all. I know there are still good people in this country which is what makes me debate whether I'd be willing to fight for this land. However politicians start wars and use propaganda to compel people in Red States to fight for them knowing we have that patriotic pulse and they prey on our instincts to protect our land. For them the war is killing two birds with one stone, they get their profit and they eliminate people they hate in their own country by sending them to die in someone else's. I love patriotic people, I love the people who want to serve this land, I love the people who are Americans that love freedom. It's why I don't want them to come to harm, which is why I ask please don't let your Red State kids die in Blue State wars.