What to do With All The Poor Kids?

Look likes Bush and company have slipped us another one! Somehow I missed this. Last month Congress authorized a new "pre-enlistment program" for the Pentagon to insure there was sufficient cannon fodder for whatever devilment George wants to stir up next.

A young man who is at least 14 years old and has a parent's permission can enlist in the U.S. military, but will not report to duty until he reaches the legal age. The future soldier agrees to remain "physically and mentally fit" and to undergo annual physical examinations at the Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS). In exchange, the government provides him a $10,000 sign-on bonus that is paid in yearly installments of $2,500 until the age of 18, at which time any remaining balance is given to the recruit.

While waiting to report to duty at 18, the new recruits are paid a modest stipend and allowed access to funds granted veterans for education. Because combat duty is a requirement of enlistment, the program is currently open only to young men, and it has been authorized for only three years, so Congress will have to renew the program again in 2008.

This is so wrong and on so many levels that I am not sure where to start or just throw up my hands in disgust. Poor kids, minorities, kids with stupid parents are the target of a governement that just doesn't give a shit. I am absolutely sure that they see this as a win win in that they not only get more young blood to murder and rid the streets of all that trash.
The Pentagon response is evidently one of "Other countries have been recuiting kids for years--we are just leveling the field."

Thanks for Corrente for the lead.