Will we all be drafted in the USA?
POSTED BY: Geezer
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 22, 2006 01:10
VIEWED: 9048
PAGE 2 of 6
A universal draft into community service would really measure school success. Supposedly the US has a 99% literacy rate (CIA - The World Factbook) but the rates of functional illiteracy are as high as 20 - 30%. http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v4n1.html And frankly, there's a lot to do in the country. Perhaps one could enter service one of two ways - a shorter military term or a longer non-military one.
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Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:
Is anarchy and open revolt still an option?[/q]
Finally a suggestion I can get on board with...
"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Quote:
Originally posted by deepgirl187:
Is anarchy and open revolt still an option?[/qoute]
Finally a suggestion I can get on board with...
"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"
"Why're you arguin' what's already been decided?"
Mal to Jayne, "Jaynestown"
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Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
A universal draft into community service would really measure school success. Supposedly the US has a 99% literacy rate (CIA - The World Factbook) but the rates of functional illiteracy are as high as 20 - 30%. http://epaa.asu.edu/epaa/v4n1.html And frankly, there's a lot to do in the country. Perhaps one could enter service one of two ways - a shorter military term or a longer non-military one.
Rue,
My brother and I were discussing this tonight. While I've not sure how I feel about a mandatory draft, but I agree with you that some sort of public service doesn't seem like a bad idea. Perhaps with options of paying off student loans or future educational opportunities.
I don't think we'd be fighting in Iraq today if there had been a draft in effect.
Siri
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Rue,
Big picture. Blank check for limitless war.
Also, the public service corps... who pays them? If we think we can tax the money society and pay for this, we have another thing coming, because the money society already has one foot out the door, and has reservations on a cayman island cruise.
America is already very close to bankrupt. We need a serious economy revitalization before we can talk about having any money to spend at all.
Quote:
Is anarchy and open revolt still an option?
No. You'll get labelled a terrorist and sent to guantanamo and tortured. It doesn't matter which party is in power.
I think the only viable anti-federalist option is secession, but it would be very tricky
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this was on CNN tonight , edited:
Quote:
Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has his way.
New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel said
(snipped)
"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft."
(snipped)
Polls show most Americans oppose a draft
Well, he's right about that part in the middle.
But the guy's a Democrat.
And of course, he explained this world -shaking truth AFTER the election, when nobody can touch him for the next 2 years.
30 years we've had no draft, NO SLAVE ARMY, which is what the draft is, gorrammit, and a discretionary war we got into because of lies leads the opposition party to turn our back on that test of personal responsibliity and liberty. Maybe I shoulda voted Republican.
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this was on CNN tonight , edited:
Quote:
Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has his way.
New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel said
(snipped)
"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft."
(snipped)
Polls show most Americans oppose a draft
Well, he's right about that part in the middle.
But the guy's a Democrat.
And of course, he explained this world -shaking truth AFTER the election, when nobody can touch him for the next 2 years.
30 years we've had no draft, NO SLAVE ARMY, which is what the draft is, gorrammit, and a discretionary war we got into because of lies leads the opposition party to turn our back on that test of personal responsibliity and liberty. Maybe I shoulda voted Republican.
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Geezer to answer your question, the people would decide, not the president.
The president may say he doesn't give a shit about the polls but that's rarely true.
If there was ever a reason to be up on politics it would be your children being in the armed forces in the time of crisis. The american people would decide it was a noble cause - that would be the true test of whether or not a war is truly believed noble by the populace.
But yes, ultimately the President makes the decision and that's why I'm inclined at the moment, having little information, to side against such legislation.
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Since when was the draft anything but a horrible, horrible injustice? I don't understand how Liberals/Democrats/whatever can be so vehemently supportive of a woman's right to choose whether she brings a baby to term or not, but completely accepting of forced labor. If you don't like abortion, don't have one, and if you support a draft, go sign up!
Just because something is worthwhile, like public service, doesn't mean the government should be allowed to FORCE people to do it.
And, correct me if I wrong, but aren't draftees simply cannon fodder?
I gotta say I'm pretty disgusted that right out of the box this is what our democratic leadership thinks the country needs. Rather than address the raft of injustice the Bush admin. has committed they start brewing up their own version.
HKCavalier
Hey, hey, hey, don't be mean. We don't have to be mean, because, remember, no matter where you go, there you are.
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The motivation behind this legislation can be found from the following press release (emphasis mine):
Quote:
excerpted from http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny15_rangel/CBRStatementDraft05262005.
html
...
"The longer we stay in Iraq and the more Americans are killed, and the less attractive military service appears to potential recruits, the closer the country will move toward a decision on the draft," Congressman Rangel said.
"The American people lost confidence in this war long ago, and now that parents are discouraging their children from volunteering, we are faced with a situation in which the most disadvantaged young people from areas of high unemployment will be even more likely to carry the greatest share of the burden," Congressman Rangel said. "If the President wants to do something right now, he should publicly appeal to all Americans to make a personal sacrifice to benefit the war effort."
"Despite the evidence to the contrary, it is just too easy for the President to give assurances that our military would be available and ready to carry out regime change, wherever and whenever he and his advisors want to, whether in Iraq, Iran, Syria or North Korea," Congressman Rangel said.
"The President said in his State of the Union address that war was an option that remained on the table in dealing with these countries. In my view, the war option would not be on the table if the people being placed in harm's way were children of White House officials, members of Congress or CEOs in the boardrooms. As other people's children endure a grinding war, they have been given huge tax cuts, while our veterans have gotten cuts in health benefits," Congressman Rangel said.
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