Milton Friedman was the leading proponent of the elimination of the draft and the institution of an all volunteer military where members were “free to choose” participation. We now have a system where the elites are ‘free to choose” elective wars. Wars that we are not free to end.
Traditional war is rapidly being superceded by missile and drone tech. Not sure I agree an old-fashioned military draft to assure a standing army of boots on the ground is the right solution. What if we expanded the idea into requiring one or two years of national service? This could be fulfilled through joining the military, but also through joining VISTA, or wildfire fighter teams, or poverty outreach for literacy, or traveling health service for rural areas, or FEMA storm damage repair crews, home insulation teams, that sort of thing. This "gap year" for graduating high school seniors could serve many functions: building citizenship through service; bringing young people from different regions, cultures, and economic backgrounds together with those they might never otherwise meet; and allowing those young people a chance to mature more and experience a bit of life before they make solid career choices. However such a concept might be implemented, I agree entirely that participation should be compulsory with no "student deferments", no opportunity for rich daddies to pay doctors to write fake passes for "bone spurs", and should be required to be fulfilled by every young American of any gender. The amazing thing is that with modern tech -- truly everyone could participate at some level. Even those who could never meet military standards could serve in ways suited to their abilities.
I just think if leaders have children of age to join the military, they should automatically have to join in times of war. I think we'd see things change a lot fairly sooner than later. This United States is currently trying it's best to break my soul. I know I can be melodramatic, but I don't know how to feel when my own country disgusts me.
Bringing back the draft was a bad idea when Charles Rangel used to tout it and it's an even worse idea now.
First, Trump's cultists will follow him over a cliff; even if their kids get drafted they won't wake up until it's too late, and maybe not even then -- look at all the people who refused to accept that GWB's Iraq War was based on a lie even after they lost loved ones. Complicit MAGA politicians and media will always cover for him and rewrite the facts. Imagine what some future would-be tyrant without Trump's cognitive limitations might do. (But I acknowledge that draftees might be more likely to disobey in the event of an attempt to impose martial law.)
Second, a "fair draft" is a pipe dream that will never exist in reality. The wealth disparity is enormous now, much bigger than it was in the 60s, and the wealthy and connected will always be able to either get cushy positions far from combat or escape service altogether. If GWB could get an Air National Guard job flying obsolete planes, and DJT, who went to a military prep school and played baseball, could get out of service with a "bone spurs" diagnosis, do you really think Barron or the children of oligarchs would have to serve?
Instead of a draft, I propose mandatory training and/or service as a positive requirement for gun ownership. Those who refuse to serve cannot be trusted with guns.
Have to disagree with you on this one. If we do anything, maybe a year of some kind of community service to teach why service, volunteering, helping others, building something that supports the community along with building social support systems for all in some way is so important.
If we are to bring back conscription it must be on the egalitarian basis you advocate. You rightly note what happens when body bags are overwhelmingly filled with children of the voiceless.
The draft would likely be only for the Army. The Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard would gain additional "volunteers". I fear that any system will be subject to some manipulation (bone spurs?).
Milton Friedman was the leading proponent of the elimination of the draft and the institution of an all volunteer military where members were “free to choose” participation. We now have a system where the elites are ‘free to choose” elective wars. Wars that we are not free to end.
and they don't participate
Traditional war is rapidly being superceded by missile and drone tech. Not sure I agree an old-fashioned military draft to assure a standing army of boots on the ground is the right solution. What if we expanded the idea into requiring one or two years of national service? This could be fulfilled through joining the military, but also through joining VISTA, or wildfire fighter teams, or poverty outreach for literacy, or traveling health service for rural areas, or FEMA storm damage repair crews, home insulation teams, that sort of thing. This "gap year" for graduating high school seniors could serve many functions: building citizenship through service; bringing young people from different regions, cultures, and economic backgrounds together with those they might never otherwise meet; and allowing those young people a chance to mature more and experience a bit of life before they make solid career choices. However such a concept might be implemented, I agree entirely that participation should be compulsory with no "student deferments", no opportunity for rich daddies to pay doctors to write fake passes for "bone spurs", and should be required to be fulfilled by every young American of any gender. The amazing thing is that with modern tech -- truly everyone could participate at some level. Even those who could never meet military standards could serve in ways suited to their abilities.
I have advocated for this before.
I just think if leaders have children of age to join the military, they should automatically have to join in times of war. I think we'd see things change a lot fairly sooner than later. This United States is currently trying it's best to break my soul. I know I can be melodramatic, but I don't know how to feel when my own country disgusts me.
Bush Minor....
Molly Ivins called him "the shrub."
Oh! That's where I got that one from! Yours is funny, though.
Bringing back the draft was a bad idea when Charles Rangel used to tout it and it's an even worse idea now.
First, Trump's cultists will follow him over a cliff; even if their kids get drafted they won't wake up until it's too late, and maybe not even then -- look at all the people who refused to accept that GWB's Iraq War was based on a lie even after they lost loved ones. Complicit MAGA politicians and media will always cover for him and rewrite the facts. Imagine what some future would-be tyrant without Trump's cognitive limitations might do. (But I acknowledge that draftees might be more likely to disobey in the event of an attempt to impose martial law.)
Second, a "fair draft" is a pipe dream that will never exist in reality. The wealth disparity is enormous now, much bigger than it was in the 60s, and the wealthy and connected will always be able to either get cushy positions far from combat or escape service altogether. If GWB could get an Air National Guard job flying obsolete planes, and DJT, who went to a military prep school and played baseball, could get out of service with a "bone spurs" diagnosis, do you really think Barron or the children of oligarchs would have to serve?
Instead of a draft, I propose mandatory training and/or service as a positive requirement for gun ownership. Those who refuse to serve cannot be trusted with guns.
https://logosandliberty.substack.com/p/service-and-the-second-amendment
Have to disagree with you on this one. If we do anything, maybe a year of some kind of community service to teach why service, volunteering, helping others, building something that supports the community along with building social support systems for all in some way is so important.
If we are to bring back conscription it must be on the egalitarian basis you advocate. You rightly note what happens when body bags are overwhelmingly filled with children of the voiceless.
The draft would likely be only for the Army. The Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard would gain additional "volunteers". I fear that any system will be subject to some manipulation (bone spurs?).