The Ultimate Burden

[usjacket]

"America’s young fighting men and women have to make these multiple tours because the overwhelming majority of the American people want no part of the nation’s wars. They don’t want to serve, they don’t want to make any sacrifices here on the home front — they don’t even want to pay the taxes that would be needed to raise the money to pay for the wars. We just add the trillions to deficits that stretch as far as the eye can see."......."If we had a draft — or merely the threat of a draft — we would not be in Iraq or Afghanistan. But we don’t have a draft so it’s safe for most of the nation to be mindless about waging war. Other people’s children are going to the slaughter. ".........Bob Herbert...............Good Article Link here http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/opinion/25herbert.html

 

[Garfield1966]

I would rather not see a draft but compulsory service. Everyone serves for a few years and then goes reserve till they retire. That way the rich serve just as much as the poor and everyone in between. I suspect if everyone has someone to loose, we will be much less likely to engage in selfish conflicts.

I would also like to see some sort of war bonds act passed by the people. Any war must be funded on it's own by war bonds. No money comes out of the public coffers. If the people want to fight, we will pay for it.

Unfortunately there is much money to be made in war. Look at black water and Halburton/KBR. They are making a killing (literally and figuratively). If you take the profit out of war and you make sure all the folks in Congress have something at stake, I would venture a guess that things will change quite a bit.

 

[delldude]

I would rather not see a draft but compulsory service. Everyone serves for a few years and then goes reserve till they retire. That way the rich serve just as much as the poor and everyone in between. I suspect if everyone has someone to loose, we will be much less likely to engage in selfish conflicts.

For crying out loud..............what you think the draft is?

You do realize the major compliment of our 'no draft' military is now composed of those you see as 'poor'?

 

[Garfield1966]

For crying out loud..............what you think the draft is?

You do realize the major compliment of our 'no draft' military is now composed of those you see as 'poor'?

My understanding is that a draft is similar to the lottery. You may or may not get selected to serve. During the Viet Nam war, men were given a number, if their number came up, in you went. Compulsory service is what Israel and several other nations have. You turn 18 and you serve. No if, and or buts about it. Men and women both serve. You are in the service for a few years and after that you are reserve till when ever. You go in for a few weeks every year.

I may have used the wrong terminology but this is what I meant.

 

[delldude]

The draft during Nam was eventually based somewhat on a lottery system.
Student deferments were very popular and it was also cool if you could suck butt with your Congressional rep's for a deferment too.
A lot of people suddenly became mentally challenged during those days...

Thought of going to a far away land with a strange and interesting culture of people...getting to know them and then kill them and possibly be killed yourself does wonders for ones psyche.

There were twenty six alphabetical choices for each calender day of the year randomly picked. So you kind of had two lotteries at once.....

Mine was 321 for my birthday and 21 for the first letter of my last name.
So being 321st for birthday pick and 21st alphabetically......I never got drafted.
Was that fair? I don't know....probably not if you were drafted.

My buddy got something like 21 and 2.....suddenly he became a drug addict and mentally deranged.....guess what....it worked.

Not to worry...Obama is going to fix everything...just wait.

I'd say the Israeli gig would be a good idea.....

 

[Garfield1966]

Apology accepted. 😛

 

[southwind]

Pretty funny thing happened to my Step-son last week. He went to re-enlist in the Navy, after being out for approx. 3 months and was told they weren't accepting anyone right now ! :blink:

 

[Garfield1966]

Unless the United States is under direct attack so called "Public Service" is at best conscription and I'd argue it is morally equivalent to slavery something Barack Obama should be fundamentally opposed to,

Austria
Bermuda
Brazil
Finland
Denmark
Germany
Greece
Israel
Norway
Switzerland

Just to name a few.

 

[Garfield1966]

Why does universal responsibility frighten conservatives so much? Are you that narcissistic and self centered that all you care about is your self? I think universal service would have allowed s to avoid the cluster screw up we are in now.

First it would have made a lot more people think twice about supporting a war in which their son or daughter could get killed. Second, we would not be forcing third and fourth tours on families and extending the tour length of people already in service. Third, it gives everyone a common stake in the future of this country. Dick Cheney, John Kennedy, Bill Gates and Bobby from around the corner all have to serve side by side. Rich, poor, working class and white collar all get to do drills at 0500 and get shot at if the time comes.

You say you don't ant to get shot at or shoot someone, no problem. There are parts of this country that need your help. You can teach in your local school or go else where in the country. We need help in medical clinics, forest service, orphanages, summer camps... you name it.

I do not see it as a bad thing. Military training alone might cut down on some of the gun death. I'm sorry I did not do public service when I was a kid. We are to self centered and I think this type of program would do a loto f good.

 

[Garfield1966]

A valid point but as in health care, I do not believe the current system works.

I still do not see how mandatory service is covered in the COTUS.

 

[southwind]

You could always join this army Garf..................if you haven't already !