Something to scare you

[trystinn]

Many people in the Neo-Pagan community have spoken about the allegiance between this nation's poorest people and conservative Christianity. Spoken or considered it quietly in frustrated moments. Seems a few others have noticed it, too.

Notice along the Pacific Northwest and down into Southern California the many payday loan centers. Would it shock you to know that same corridor is where many of the military bases are? Granted, its prohibited for military folks to use them but we know it happens anyway.

Comments

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

Fabulous points, Brock.

Have a military person take you on the base and you'll see a WIC (Women and Infant Children) and Foodstamps office. And nearby, off base, you'll find a DSHS office that keeps very busy investigating military families - they even have specially trained social workers here (we're friends with one, scary stuff) to handle 'us'. Its understood that low ranking enlisted service members will have too many children and the Navy pays you a bonus for having them (last time I checked its $25). The new enlisted low ranking housing going in is for four bedrooms and up - military housing requires each child to have their own room, much like Section 8 Housing regulations, though some exceptions are made.

Our Navy base has the busiest maternity ward in Western Washington. How's that for scary as all hell? Then add to that Whidbey Island has very little industry and almost zero opportunities for military wives to be employed outside of retail jobs - which there aren't many of, either.

[brock-tn.livejournal.com]

Oh, I KNOW all of these things, first hand.

As of five days ago, I've been professionally associated with the U. S. Army in one capacity or another continuously for the past 30 years. Throughout that time I have been living on or near an Army post. I am at present a civil service employee of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.

I drive past the lending agencies across the street from Fort Campbell on a daily basis. "We lend to E-1 and up!" banners abound on Fort Campbell Boulevard. And they KNOW they will get their money back, because the command will find a way to force soldiers to pay their legal obligations.

Years ago, when I was an active duty section leader,and then as a platoon sergeant, I used to have to counsel my junior soldiers when they got into trouble. And I took my turn marching the company's defaulters over to the recreation center on paydays to make payments on their arrearages with the local utility companies.

Been there, done that, through four different colors of T-shirts.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I actually meant my comments as a response to a responder to your post - sorry for the confusion. I'm well aware of your involvement in the military. :)

The E-1 signs have come down in our town, thankfully.