Who's War Is It, Anyways?

  
      The idea that the war is not for the soldiers, but instead those "longing to exert their power", is one that demands to be explored. When thought about, everything about it is rings true. So far, most of the conversations the soldiers have with one another is to complain (and rightfully so) about some aspect of the war. Not one of them wants to be there, and no one has thus far said that they are proudly there for their country. There has, however, been a moment when a soldier broke his arm at the front lines, and Paul's inner monologue narrated mentioned that the soldier was lucky, because that injury would send him home, yet not kill him.  
      While of course not every single soldier will feel the same way about the war, it does see to be a reoccurring thought on at least the German side. Seeing as most of the soldiers in the war were either drafted or coerced, it is very probable that all sides felt the same hatred for the war they fought. They left their homes, their families and their futures in order to fight something that they themselves did not start. 
     That being said, it could also be concluded that most wars are brought on by powerful men who will not actually fight in the war, but rather sit at a desk and make battle plans and speeches to remind people why they are supposedly in this war. All or most of these men believe they have good intentions, and therefore they are not doing it for petty reasons. This of course, is often not true. Powerful yet power hungry men rarely send millions to die for a noble and justifiable cause. And when the draft has to be used in order to get enough soldiers, then that war should not be. If not enough people believe in the war to volunteer for it, then that war is pointless, and governments forcing young people to die in that war is therefore cruel and beastly. 
      Can both sides be right about sending people to war if the reason is to "defend the fatherland?" No. The idea that an entire war would start, involving half the world, only to defend your home country, is disgusting. War should have a much better reason than simply being loyal to a piece of land. When having a legitimate reason to join/start a war, then perhaps that war, with all its blood and gore, would be justifiable. But simply saying that one must be shipped off to war in order to pay respects to the dirt on which you live, is not enough.