Since most folks here seem to "lean left" I have a question. Firstly, I do not believe in the draft, but since we have it, I think both genders should be drafted OR the draft should be eradicated. What do you think?
I'm wondering how you think "lean left" will affect the answers to your question.
Oh, interesting response. ....A "Leaning left" audience had me feeling safe to ask the question.
No one has been drafted since January 1973, since that time we have seen a drop off in the diversity of the military. I not only believe we should have a system of conscription, I believe it ought to be a mandatory 2 year term for all citizens and want to be citizens. That service could be in several different areas of public, international (think peace corp), military or even local governmental service. But it should be for all people with only a few exceptions for those with disabilities so severe that they require a caregiver. a person should be able to fill this requirement at anytime between 18 and 26 and we should provide trade school/college upon completion.
We used the draft many decades ago because we were sending an obscene number of military into a war we shouldn't have been in, and we ran out of career military. Hopefully, this will not happen again for either gender.
However, I'm a believer in mandatory national service for everyone, preferably right after high school, for a year or two. No exemptions for heel spurs.
Draft? What draft.....?
It's called selective service now, but it's still in action: all males have to register for it within 30 days of turning age 18.
@Lauren yes but nobody has gotten "called up" from it, only National Guard members, right?
@AnneWimsey Yep. It's just enough that it got me all riled up when the males in my kid's social circle had to sign up for it. It kind of affirmed how little say they have in the whims of madmen.
We haven't had the draft since the 70s. I was drafted. It is a horrible idea. Forcing people to fight and die in unjustifiable wars. We haven't been in a justifiable or necessary war since WWll. Completely immoral. Rich people and sons of members of Congress did not get drafted. Terrible idea.
I am old fashioned enough to think that young women are too valuable to society to be sent into combat, but they could certainly help a war effort in many other ways. Those few who insist on fighting with rifles and grenades, let ‘em have at it.
Old women are worth no more than old men. When they are old would be the time to turn’em into infantry soldiers, construction workers, commercial fishers, loggers and the like.
Enact the Equal Rights Amendment.
Then you can draft both sexes.
Right now we're still not first class citizens and our rights are being taken away in many States - so I'm voting no on this until we're equal.
Frankly I don't want to see anyone drafted into another war. Let's do away with that too.
My sentiments, exactly!
It is used for both sexes in Israel. Some in the UK think it might be a good idea to re-introduce it but for some form of community service rather than the military.
Much as it was loathed at the time. The draft was at least more class and racially equal. Buying your way into the national guard or arranging to have bone-spurs notwithstanding.
Rich peoples sons and sons of those in Congress did not get drafted. It is a horrible thing to do to someone.
@Sticks48 Yes it was rife with corruption but on the whole a fairer system than now. The proportion of ethnic minorities and the lower classes is much higher now. The choice between a mac uniform or a military one when the system gave you a shit education is stark.
If you are going to send young people off to war? It should not be just an economic choice for them and if everyone's kids paid the dues then we might be less eager to send them?
@273kelvin As I sai, we haven't been ia justifiable war since WWll. The United States has been at war with someone for all but 16 years of our existence. To be cannon fodder for that kind of bullshit is completely unfair and immoral. When i was in it was middle class and lower getting drafted. If you think that will change you really don't understand this country.