First off, this isn’t a new phenomenon. Illinois Governor John Peter Altgeld (yep, a dude from the 19th century!) was calling this bullshit out back in the day. After the Civil War, there were promises—oh, so many promises—to the soldiers who fought and bled in one of the bloodiest conflicts in U.S. history. They’d be taken care of, they were told. Their sacrifice would mean something. And what happened? A big, fat nothing. They came home to shattered economies, fucked-up lives, and barely any support from the government that sent them into hell.

Altgeld, a progressive powerhouse, wrote extensively about how the government left these soldiers high and dry. He called out the hypocrisy of politicians who claimed to revere veterans while actively screwing them over. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It’s the same playbook, just with updated branding.

Here’s the thing about the modern-day GOP: they’re absolute geniuses when it comes to performative patriotism. They’ll slap a flag pin on their lapel, stand for the anthem, and shout about "supporting the troops" until they’re blue in the face. But when it comes to actual support—you know, the kind that matters, like healthcare, housing, and mental health resources—they’re nowhere to be found.

Let’s talk about how these so-called patriots have treated veterans over the years:

The GOP loves using soldiers as props. They’ll roll out veterans for campaign ads, wave them around during debates, and use them to score political points. But the second the cameras are off, it’s back to business as usual. Here’s a reality check: soldiers and veterans are only "heroes" to the GOP when they’re useful. If you’re actively killing people abroad to serve American imperialism? Hero. If you’re back home, struggling with PTSD and asking for help? Moocher.

And let’s not forget how this hypocrisy plays out on the policy front. Think about the endless wars—Iraq, Afghanistan, and beyond. Who sends soldiers into these quagmires? The very politicians who couldn’t care less about them once they’re back stateside. It’s all about optics and power, never about people.

Yeah, yeah. Let’s address the elephant (or donkey?) in the room. Are Democrats perfect when it comes to veterans’ issues? Hell no. But at least they’re trying. The PACT Act, for example, expanded healthcare for veterans exposed to toxic substances, and it was primarily Democrats pushing for it. Meanwhile, Republicans balked, claiming it was "too expensive." Expensive? Really? How about the billions wasted on bloated defense contracts and endless wars? Guess that’s fine, huh?

Altgeld’s words remind us that this isn’t a modern problem; it’s baked into the system. The government’s treatment of veterans post-Civil War mirrors what we’re seeing today: empty promises and half-assed support. His critiques of systemic failure are a sobering reminder that without real accountability and structural change, history just keeps repeating itself.

Altgeld didn’t mince words, and neither should we. If he were alive today, you can bet your ass he’d be dragging the GOP for their hypocrisy on veterans’ issues. Hell, he’d probably have a few choice words for the Democrats, too. But the bottom line remains: the government has always been more interested in what soldiers can do for them than what they can do for soldiers.

If you’re still clinging to the idea that the GOP cares about soldiers and veterans, it’s time to wake the fuck up. They don’t. They never have. What they care about is power, optics, and money. Veterans? They’re just collateral damage in the pursuit of those goals.

The quote that sparked this rant is a slap in the face of complacency. It’s a reminder to look past the rhetoric and see the reality. Soldiers and veterans deserve better. They deserve more than flag pins, empty words, and hollow gestures. They deserve real support, real resources, and real respect—the kind that’s reflected in actions, not just words.

So, the next time you hear a politician wax poetic about "supporting the troops," ask them how they voted on VA funding. Ask them what they’re doing to address veteran homelessness or suicide rates. Ask them if they give a shit beyond the photo ops. And if they don’t, call them out. Loudly.

Because, as Altgeld showed us, this fight is as old as the country itself. And it’s long past time we demanded better.