I read with amusement how everybody loves the rights given to them in our country, but hardly anyone wants to serve, or have their children serve. This just leads me to the question in the title, if not you, your children, or your friends, then who serves? Who should serve? I will answer first;

I believe that if we are to send young women and men of this country into a hostile area the lower economic classes should not unfairly shoulder the majority of the burden. I truly believe that there should be a draft system that is fair across the board, or mandatory service should be in place for all citizens between 18-22, even if it is national guard.

Your thoughts?

I think this is a very basic concept that will end up being necessary, given declining societal standards... a tragedy, that we are such a self-serving bunch, isn't it?

And don't let the uproar and onslaught of accusations of communism get to ya!

well, this became a big issue in my family. Many had served in my family prior to me coming along. I was the only son in the family and the only future for the name. They said I couldn't. I was upset. I said why can't I. They told me about the rule. However, I think it should be by choice also. Even if they are the only ones they should be able to choose not only be ordered to serve under the draft circumstances. I dunno.

Lol, I am not a communist, but I am a realist.

Good one.....good one...that was good

I think it's a splendid idea. I know a lot of ppl just don't take service into consideration during peacetime. This would eliminate dwindling numbers during those times...that is if we ever see them again.

I think that insituting a draft would not stop those that avoid serving. Those of upper class would still find ways to not be drafted. I do think that it is a shame that the bulk of american society, lower and middle class is being devestated by human loss in this conflict.

I just got done watching a movie on the nuclear bomb. I am horrified for Oppenheimer. He was such a brilliant man who created a monster, for which that guilt had to have killed him inside.

War and Conflict should be avoided at all costs. However, now that we are already there we need to support our troops, pray for them, and pray that one day those that have been put in power realize that peace should not be maintain by who has the bigger gun/bomb/military/etc.

JMO
tanya

I think you are mistaken about the people that are serving. The people I am friends with are not lower class and are not from the lower class. If I was serving I would be glad to know the person next to me wanted to be in the fight.

In Israel everyone serves a minimum of 2 years in the military.

Everyone, rich or poor, black or white, should share the responsibility.

I do not mean to say that at all, but historically it is the lower class who eventually are the majority of those serving. Through atrition we will get there again here. To some on the lower end of economics the military is too tempting to disregard soley on the grounds of safety, where the mid and upper end families will do whatever to keep them out of a fight. I am not taking anything away from our armed forces, or insinuating that they are not worthy in any way. I just believe as people in power watch their loved ones go to war it may impact their thinking some. I certainly am not the first one to feel this, but I do agree with it.

Humm myself I don't believe anyone should have to serve as long as we have enough that volunteer to do so.

Why due to the fact if I was at war I would rather know that the person beside me it was their choice to be there and was there for the same reason I was. Not because they were made to and would most likely not have their mind where it should be.

As far as being the only son, not everyone uses that out to stay out of the military but it is there for those that chose too.

My Dad was an only child and served two terms in the Army my brother was the only son and was in the Marines, my son tried to go in the Army only son due to medical they would not accept him.

So yes that is and option being the only son one can use but…..it does not keep them out if they chose to be there.

no, they don't a good part of them refuse to serve. So there are 18 years olds running around with guns and have no clue what they are doing. those that serve are of lower class there also.

most of the individuals that are serving in the irseali army are not even citizens, they are Jews from other countries that are being offer money, housing etc to serve!

Our son just got back from 16 months in Iraq. A neighbor's son, 4th generation military, died there. Draft, voluntary enlistment, war is not pretty for any reason. With the morality of youth today, I believe students before the age of 16 that can then drop out of school, should be required a year of ROTC. They would learn disipline, what our country should stand for and they would be better able to decide if the military was for them. I believe the draft will come again and to many of our young will die in some senseless wars.

We do not have enough boots tx, it is clearly evident to anyone who pays attention to things like multiple tours, stop gap, etc. There needs to be some fair system ut into place to relieve the stress put on our young men and women who are serving

I thank your son for his service, and am sorry for your neighbors loss.

It was fun when I went over there because there's nothing more sexy then I women carrying an M-16, Except for one with hair curlers.

utmost respect

Well, the lower your SES the more likely you are to serve. It is also probable, and in my opinion likely that lower SES families tend to have more children, which supports my belief.(JMO)

A draft would not really lessen this, if you combine the people who enlist for a career or college assistance opportunity in combination with those who get drafted. Granted, more middle class people would then serve as well, but it might not be a solution.

Also, it used to be, troubled or wayward kids could join as a way of getting out of legal problems, but now the military has higher standards and more rigorous testing. That prevents a lot of people, in all walks of life, from gaining entry... than used to serve in our armed forces.

During the Vietnam war, my father was finishing his last year as a resident at a well known and respected Children's Hospital. He received a telegram drafting him into the Navy. He moved hundreds of miles away and spent a year taking sailing lessons and giving aspirins to hung over Naval officers on base, and was then discharged. What good did that do?


~~~~ Hiya Rob!

hey lil,
It should be a requirement. College should not get you out of your duty if your number is called, period