College? Army?.... Prison!

Do you want job security? Would you like to be guaranteed three healthy, nutritious balanced meals a day? How does free health care sound? Or a roof over your head every night! Even job placement! College can be fun and educational of course but it cannot promise you any of these things. The military is a nice life for some but even they cannot promise these vital needs after you are discharged. But do you know who can?... Our Prison System!!! That is correct, the way things are at this moment in time, you have more opportunities and probably a better chance at success if you were a released felon compared to a college graduate or honorably discharged soldier. Am I the only one who sees the insanity in this?
The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans report that on any given night there are 67,000 homeless veterans. That is correct, 67,000 men and women, who were deployed all over the world in everything from peace keeping missions to full on military conflict, find themselves sleeping on park benches and sidewalks every night. Only 8% of the general population are veterans yet when it comes to the homeless population, veterans make up an astounding 23%. These were men and women who were entrusted to carry out life threatening missions and now cannot even get an interview for a job flipping burgers. Another number they do not tell you about at the enlistment is that 18 veterans commit suicide every day... that is a staggering number. Young men coming home with less limbs than they left with, suffering from all sorts of physical and mental ailments and no one is there to comfort them.
College Graduates do not have it much better. Ten percent of recent college graduates are unemployed. Let's not even get into the numbers of those who are underemployed or the ones who just completely gave up looking for work. Recent reports now say that between 50-80% of college grads were forced to live with their parents. There is no job placements for them, no light at the end of the tunnel in the near future.
Now how about our little inmates? I would say that they have it a little easier. While incarcerated, inmates receive incredible health care that many Americans could only dream of, three square meals a day and a roof over their head. But oh no, the perks for being a piece of s**t criminal does not stop there! With recent changes in the prison system, inmates are now able to get high school diplomas and college degrees. But there is more! Commit a heinous crime today and you will also have access to a number of vocational programs. That is right, today you may be a thief or rapist but if you play your cards right and get caught you will have the opportunity that many could only dream of, free training in fields like carpentry, construction, computers, plumbing, etc... If you behave you might actually be placed in one of the Industry Work Programs. Yes, these opportunities will allow prisoners to earn some cash, learn a skill and network, NETWORK!!!, to land a job after their release. This is a damn internship for criminals!!!!
And what about the respect aspect? Years ago you would go up to a man or woman in uniform and thank you for serving, regardless if you are for the war or not. You would get up and offer them your seat on a crowded bus. When someone finished school you would give them a firm handshake and congratulate them. Nowadays, a lot of people mock an education and don't feel a degree is worth the frame that holds it or the time spent trying to get it even on the wall. But, when some perp brags to his friends about just doing a nickel at Sing Sing, you would think that he just found the cure for Lupus!! He gets the fist pump, the chest bounce... instant respect from his peers. He has the nerve to wear it like a badge of honor.
It is a sad state of affairs when convicts get more chances and more respect than our veterans and college grads...
Is it hot in here or am I Crazy?