[curuinor]

I mean, by the nature of being an army they gotta do controlled violence, but they're the largest organization in America with single-payer health care (Tricare), so I don't know about calling them not socialist

(really flat top/bottom pay ratio too: private E1 gets paid $19k/yr top generals max out at $180k base - I've heard of grads fresh out of master's getting more than that at Google)

[magicmu]

I had no idea about the details of Tricare, that's pretty interesting. I suppose it makes sense for a government to be very invested in the healthcare of its armed forces.I was thinking more about the United States army's particular global role as the primary means of the violent perpetuation of capitalism and Western hegemony. You make a great point; I think the main difference in our perspectives could be approaching the question domestically versus globally.