I told you that I doubted that the aggregate amount of military personnel had "negative effects". Currently, there are 1.4 million active duty personnel, and 26.5 million veterans residing in the United States.
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-ff04se.html You're stats indicate that VA outpatients have a propensity to drink more then their civilian counter parts. Yet, it does not indicate that the majority of veterans are alcoholics-or even close. I don't know what percentage of veterans go to VA hospitals-the study doesn't say either.
You're next source is referring to depleted uranium in the Gulf War-and is from a site that advocates the end of nuclear weapons(an admirable goal). It doesn't discuss if the disability claims stem from the soldiers active duty or from a condition or event that has happened since. An auto accident suffered during peace time would still raise claims to disability.
http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/summaryVAbenefits.pdfI'm sorry if Social Darwinism appalls you. Unfortunately, in this little world of ours, the culture that is more advanced tends to wipe out the ones that are far behind. If it makes you feel better to think murder is not a component of an advanced society-watch Star Trek. We're still stuck in the dark ages. I don't feel bad for the victims of history and human behavior. I hope we can learn from it and prevent other tragic, barbaric events. And yet, here we are in Iraq.
As far as suicide rates-yes, they are higher then other population groups. And they still amount to about one hundredth of one percent of active duty members.
http://www.suicidereferencelibrary.com/test4~id~444.phphttp://usmilitary.about.com/cs/terrorism/a/arsuicide.htmWhat you are unwilling to grasp is that the presence of negative traits does not negate the existence of an entity. I'm not arguing that the military does have suicides, or alcoholics. People die and are injured., However, the majority of people who serve do nut die, get injured, or kill them self. I don't expect perfection. Do you? IS there any institution that can make people conform and behave in sync-in all aspects? How could we eradicate alcoholics from society?
back to African Americans, apparently I'm in denial because I don't think there is a system that punishes African Americans. hmmm. never said that, didn't mean to imply it. I'll elaborate-there isn't a system that is dedicated to punishing African Americans simply because they are African Americans. You seem pretty astute-I thought you would have picked up on my meaning. If some one is African American, and they are in prison, chances are it's for a crime against society. Usually another African American.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/race.htmCourts do not put African Americans in jail because they are black. They do not impose a separate set of laws. If you're born into poverty, life is tough. And it's harder to get a fair shake. But the system isn't inherently racist.
Any-hooo, as far as the rest, I don't consider capitalism a "cancer", nor does the Democratic Party. I see "troubles" every day. I don't consider every trouble an "individual" thing. I'm not sure what you mean, to be honest. There are often broad solutions that can help specific problems. But, as I said, I'm not sure what you're trying to say, so I won't elaborate.