Compulsory Military Service bill now in Congress

[aephi alum]

There is a bill currently in Congress that has the potential to affect many GCers directly and many others indirectly. It provides for a two-year period of compulsory military service for all men and women between the ages of 18 and 26. The only exemption possible is for extreme hardship or physical or mental disability. Those who are in high school when they turn 18 can postpone until they graduate, drop out, or turn 20. Conscientious objectors can participate in a national service program instead of performing military service.

There are identical bills in both the House and Senate.

Here's the summary: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquer...:@@@L&summ2=m& Or go to http://thomas.loc.gov and search for H.R.163 or S.89

(Apologies if this has already been posted elsewhere.)

[PhiPsiRuss]

That dog won't hunt.

[The1calledTKE]

Voting for such a bill would be political suicide. Alot of voters would be upset and almost all 18 to 26 year olds would not vote for a person that tries to force them to do military or some other national project.

[PhiMuLady150]

granted it will never pass but I cannot wait until November so I can cast my vote to get him out of office...

[honeychile]

I will admit that I don't have the time to read through this bill right now, but I am completely behind a bill for compulsory service to the USA, military or otherwise. I do believe, however, that a certain date should be set, two years from the date of the bill's passing, and THEN have it go into affect.

We will only be a stronger country with such a system in place - but we also will need the time to implement it properly.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by honeychile
We will only be a stronger country with such a system in place - but we also will need the time to implement it properly.

I completely disagree. There is no evidence that we will be stronger. If anything, there is evidence that we will have a less capable, and less reliable military. When you throw the likelihood that a draft would tear this country apart, just like it did during Vietnam, I don't see how this is good for America.

[The1calledTKE]

Originally posted by honeychile
I will admit that I don't have the time to read through this bill right now, but I am completely behind a bill for compulsory service to the USA, military or otherwise. I do believe, however, that a certain date should be set, two years from the date of the bill's passing, and THEN have it go into affect.

We will only be a stronger country with such a system in place - but we also will need the time to implement it properly.

It's easy for people older than 26 to say that since they won't be affected. Even by a mircle it passed and was implimented I probably would just be over the limit. Even so forcing people to do what they don't want to is against what america stands for. England uses to force colonist into serving in the British Navy. Thats one of many reasons along with taxation without representation the revolution started. The only way I would agree to serve is if the United States proper was under attack from a foriegn invader. Iraq is not my idea of defending the US. It's my right as an American to not serve in the military and I don't need congress taking that away from me. Not worried though hell would freeze over before a majority would risk pissing off a big block of voters. I do give them props for including women in the requirement at least.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by The1calledTKE
I do give them props for including women in the requirement at least.

That's not enough. They should mandate that all of-age children and grandchildren, of all members of Congress, and the President and Vice President, serve without exception. If the President has a grandchild in a wheelchair, draft him and let him serve as a file clerk. And none of that air national guard crap, or serving as an Army reporter. Move the children and grandchildren as close to the front line as possible. Is the kid a genius about to start medical school? Tough. You're fighting on the front line because your dad is in the Senate. Do that, and I'll support a draft.

[James]

My isn't the nation getting fascist since September 11?

Patriot Act, Homeland Security, Complusory military service .. ..

[honeychile]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
I completely disagree. There is no evidence that we will be stronger. If anything, there is evidence that we will have a less capable, and less reliable military. When you throw the likelihood that a draft would tear this country apart, just like it did during Vietnam, I don't see how this is good for America.

So, you don't think that having everyone in a given country able to perform some sort of service would make the country stronger? It's working fine in other countries, ie: Israel.

Reread what I said about a two year moratorium: the idea behind that is to get people used to the idea, so that it doesn't tear the country apart. Not everyone has to serve in the military; there are a lot of other services that could be done (including daycare for those working at something else). Many parks, microfilming old records, etc were done in the 1930's by this same sort of service. Quit thinking about yourself for a few minutes, and think about kids in a ghetto or people who can't afford college - this may be their only chance to learn (or begin to learn) a trade, and it surely beats gangbanging or imprisionment. I do, however, feel that everyone (except conscientious objectors) should know how to load, fire, and clean a weapon.

If you've ever read even one of my posts concerning this issue prior to this, you know I feel very strongly about it!

[The1calledTKE]

Would you do some kind of service even though your older than 26? Or just let the 26 and unders worry about it as long as its not you?

[KillarneyRose]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
I completely disagree. There is no evidence that we will be stronger. If anything, there is evidence that we will have a less capable, and less reliable military. When you throw the likelihood that a draft would tear this country apart, just like it did during Vietnam, I don't see how this is good for America.

But that draft during Vietnam wasn't implemented fairly. All that college deferment (did I spell that right? I'm too tired to check) crap was divisive to the extreme.

Providing no special treatment to college students, children of politicians or run of the mill rich folks and allowing those who legitimately *can't* serve equivalent options is a great idea IMO

I admit that I am (ahem) a year or two beyond the cutoff age, but I have two daughters who would eventually be affected by such a bill. Nonetheless, I think it is a good idea. There are many benefits guaranteed to Americans so it doesn't really seem out of line to me to expect everyone to take a turn defending the country.

[honeychile]

Originally posted by The1calledTKE
Would you do some kind of service even though your older than 26? Or just let the 26 and unders worry about it as long as its not you?

I have already served in a government capacity. I don't have a big problem with fulfilling the parameters, or seeing a governmental official's kid not get an exemption, or microfilming something.

Or I could teach you!

[The1calledTKE]

Originally posted by honeychile
I have already served in a government capacity. I don't have a big problem with fulfilling the parameters, or seeing a governmental official's kid not get an exemption, or microfilming something.

Or I could teach you!

I would not mind a government related job I have actually applied to a few and scored very high on one of the test but still am on a wait list.

I think this still would not boost the militaries ranks because most people would opt for a job that won't likely put them at risk of death. The probably would be forced to do a lottery of some sort for the government jobs and everyone that didn't win a slot had to join the military.

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by honeychile
So, you don't think that having everyone in a given country able to perform some sort of service would make the country stronger? It's working fine in other countries, ie: Israel.

That's a terrible comparison. Israel has been under seige for 56 years. They have no choice.

Reread what I said about a two year moratorium: the idea behind that is to get people used to the idea, so that it doesn't tear the country apart.

Maybe you think that Americans are mindless sheep, but I don't believe that giving people two years to let it sink in will make people happy. Actually, I think that those two years would be filled with mass demonstrations and riots.

Not everyone has to serve in the military; there are a lot of other services that could be done (including daycare for those working at something else). Many parks, microfilming old records, etc were done in the 1930's by this same sort of service.

And here comes a mass expansion of government, and even worse, the loopholes by which powerful people will get their relatives out of military service. Those exceptions will absolutely contribute to civil unrest, and undermine our democracy

Quit thinking about yourself for a few minutes, and think about kids in a ghetto or people who can't afford college - this may be their only chance to learn (or begin to learn) a trade, and it surely beats gangbanging or imprisionment.

Who do you think you are implying that I'm being selfish? I'm not of draft age, and I am definitely thinking of others.

I do, however, feel that everyone (except conscientious objectors) should know how to load, fire, and clean a weapon.

I think that it will be a better America if our people are not forced to know these things.

If you've ever read even one of my posts concerning this issue prior to this, you know I feel very strongly about it!

I don't care about anyone's feelings on an important issue. I'd rather the debate be dispassionate, which is how political discourse in America is supposed to be. There is nothing more un-American than political debate rooted in emotions.