What We Owe Our SoldiersBy Alex Epstein (November 3, 2008)Alex Epstein is an analyst at the Ayn Rand Center for Individual Rights, focusing on business issues.
More Facts: the institute promotes Objectivism, the philosophy of Ayn RandÃÂauthor of Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead.
Epstein begins his op-ed with, ÃÂEvery Veterans Day we pay tribute to our fellow Americans who have served in the military. With speeches and ceremonies, we recognize their courage and valor. But justice demands that we also recognize that we should have far more living veterans that we do. All too many of our soldiers have died unnecessarilyÃÂbecause they were sent to fight for a purpose other than AmericaÃÂs freedom.ÃÂThe proper purpose of a government, as Epstein puts it, is to protect its citizens lives and freedom against all the other forces, against the criminals at home and aggressors abroad. Our government responsibility is to recognize the individual value of every one of its citizensÃÂ lives, and thus to do everything possible to protect the rights of each to life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness.
English: Ayn Rand's sign. Sicilianu: Signature de ...
Atlas sculpture, New York City, by sculptor Lee La...
Objectivism: The Philosophy of Ayn RandThis also should include our valor soldiers.
Epstein makes points that soldiers arenÃÂt sacrificial objects: they are like true breed Americans with the same moral right as the rest of the American population whom want to pursuit of their own goals, dreams, and own happiness.
He tells us that what we should owe these men who fight so bravely for their and our freedom, usually putting there life at stake, more then just sending them to war only when we feel that our freedom is threatened. The most effort we make is providing them with the latest up-to-date weapons, strategies, and tactics unknown to man.
Epstein recalls that America made some pretty huge mistakes which came back and hit...