Uncle Sam Wants Your Children

I often wonder why young people in this country are not more vocal against the war in Iraq. My friends tell me it's because there is no draft.
The United States had a draft in place between 1948 and 1973. It grew to become the center of controversy during the Vietnam War, 1964-1975, an undeclared war that was the most unpopular conflict America had fought until Iraq. But because there is no more draft and because we have a professional army now, maybe there is less of an incentive for young people to protest as they did during the Vietnam years.
Yesterday, incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, N.Y. Democratic Representative Charles Rangel proposed a military draft covering all men and women age 18. He sees his idea as a way to increase U.S. troop levels which he thinks are currently inadequate to continue the fight in Iraq and potential conflicts with Iran and North Korea. He also believes that politicians would be less ready to deploy troops if there was a draft in place.
Already in 2003, Rangel introduced such a bill. "I truly believe that those who make the decision and those who support the United States going into war would feel more readily the pain that's involved, the sacrifice that's involved, if they thought that the fighting force would include the affluent and those who historically have avoided this great responsibility," Rangel said. "For those who say the poor fight better, I say give the rich a chance."
Rangel is right of course. Our armed forces are strained to the breaking point. We cannot even envisage entering into a new conflict. He is also right when he states that politicians would face more opposition from the general public if there was a draft. And everyone knows that young well-to-do Americans have more options and therefore do not join the army in quite the same numbers as poorer ones. It is great that he is opening this overdue debate. He is mistaken however, in believing that this country is willing to reinstate a draft. If Vietnam was a waste of young American lives, Iraq is probably even more so.
As a parent, I certainly would not allow my son or daughter to fight in a war that was based on lies. Contrary to many Americans, as a German, I don't believe that my children owe their country anything. Of course this deep non-nationalistic feeling is a reflection of my own country's bloody history. Would I be opposed to having 18-year-olds to do a year of community service for the good of others? Not at all. Would my children fight to protect themselves and their families if under attack? Yes, of course. But as long as politicians misinform the public about the real dangers from other countries instead of using diplomacy, I will try to keep my children alive.
What are your thoughts?