I wouldn’t call it “free” exactly. You give up your freedom, your independence, they tell you to jump, you better jump or you’re going to jail. Everything is earned through suffering, either physically, psychologically, or morally.

But I see your point. Maybe it’s that feeling of “you haven’t suffered as one of the few on behalf of the many, to have earned this?” But that looking at it from a 10ft level.

From a 1000ft view point and as a veteran myself, I have zero idea why enmasse they’d not see Americans suffering and IMMEDIATELY jump on the “help these people” train. You were literally willing to die for the same people and rights, that you hate? But now that you’re out or retired - fuck them if they need medical care or food or housing or whatever service? I don’t get where the cognitive leap occurs. But I see it in a lot of former military bosses and leaders. It’s super cringe and makes me sad.