War is a paradox of weakness creating power and power creating weakness.

The photo above shows a group of Vietnam War veterans protesting through the streets with a sign that reads “We Won’t Fight Another Rich Man’s War!!!”  The Vietnam War, along with many other wars, brings to light the subject of classism: those being sent to fight the war versus those who were making the decisions. War is deceiving. We assume that our government makes us powerful, but in reality we make the government powerful. In turn, the government uses that power to control its citizens. Many soldiers have no say in the decision of whether or not to go to war, and the true intention of war is hidden from them.  Likewise, the government typically claims its intentions for war are to spread democracy and liberty, while, often, the true motivations are economic advances. For instance, the motive behind intervening in Vietnam during the Vietnam War is constantly debated. Most believe the US got involved in the Vietnam War to prevent communism from ruining the country in the same manner as the system had in China. On the other hand, it is more likely that the government intervened for more self-serving reasons. The government wanted war, and, therefore, our soldiers went off to Vietnam.

Looking back at the photo of the Vietnam veterans protesting in the street, one begins to sympathize with those who suffered in the war. The Vietnam War was unfair because the rich and powerful could exempt their sons from the draft, while poor young men had no choice but to follow orders and fight a war they didn’t believe in. How a government uses the power it gains off the backs of its citizens often demonstrates the weakness of a “bully” mentality. The government uses war to maintain power instead of using power to create peace.

Bibliograohy: 
Sverdrupian. ""We Won't Fight Another Rich Man's War!!!" - Vietnam Veterans Against the War, circa 1970." Imgur. Sverdrupian. Web. 23 Mar. 2016.