has the time come for mandatory national service?

Post by **SonomaCat** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 11:53 pm

I think it is a really bad idea. An army that is drafted is apt to be an army with very bad morale. Unless you have a war that has overwhelming public support (like WWII after the initial resistance on the part of many Republicans), you will end up with an army with lots of people who don't believe in the cause.

A volunteer army is there by their own free will, and they are going to be a superior team to anything you can come to via involuntary service.

In addition, I'm not a big fan of the idea of government forcing anyone to do anything (except not infringing upon the rights of others).

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:40 am

Bay Area Cat wrote:In addition, I'm not a big fan of the idea of government forcing anyone to do anything (except not infringing upon the rights of others).

AHA!!!! BAC's true political POV is exposed! He is an ANARCHIST! Hehe, j/k

Post by **SonomaCat** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 1:15 am

grizzh8r wrote:
Bay Area Cat wrote:In addition, I'm not a big fan of the idea of government forcing anyone to do anything (except not infringing upon the rights of others).
AHA!!!! BAC's true political POV is exposed! He is an ANARCHIST! Hehe, j/k

I still prefer Libertarian as a title (if I must have one

) ... anarchists don't believe in the paranthetical part of what I said, which is where I depart from them drastically.

BandCat · Post by **BandCat** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 2:17 am

I think that if the draft was reinstated that both genders should be included.

It is a simple matter of equality. In our country women have fought for voting rights, equal pay, and equal opportunity. If we are to be totally equal, we must be equally responsible for it's defense as well.

One of the issues that would most affect having women in the draft is the fact that no branch of the military allows women to serve in the infantry, but I'm sure they could work it out to fit their needs.

My father has been in the Navy for most of my life. My cousin has served two tours in Iraq with Marines units, and a very good friend of mine (who earned a Purple Heart during his last tour in Iraq) is being deployed again very soon for a year. If anyone I knew were called up in a draft (including myself), I don't think that it would really affect me as deeply as you might think.