Though policy makers have never seriously considered drafting Americans into the military in their planning of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the modern debate over a draft still reveals deeper political implications.
Slater Rhea contends the draft is necessary to promote greater citizen involvement in politics, specifically to motivate greater reluctance to go to war on the part of the public.
While a draft would certainly have the effect of making disconnected citizens more active in their opposition of wars that may be unnecessary, it would also rob citizens of the most profound method of opposing war: staying home. While voting, protesting and making demands of politicians may feel gratifying, these efforts ultimately only matter to politicians in swing areas.
Consider the plight of a peacenik living in the ultra-conservative Oklahoma panhandle if a draft were reinstated. This citizen’s activism will be no more useful under a draft system, and he will face the possibility of being sent off to war and face death and dismemberment. He will be deprived of the only meaningful form of activism at his disposal, staying home and simply refusing to fight in the war.
Under a draft system, this man’s only option to avoid going to war would be to dodge the draft and risk imprisonment or forced enlistment. Forcing this man to fund the war by taxing his income is offensive enough; forcing him to fight for a war he doesn’t support in the name of greater voter involvement is downright repugnant.
Furthermore, it is questionable whether greater political involvement is even desirable. In fact, I would contend lower voter turnouts and levels of political involvement are desirable. A CNN analysis of a recent census report revealed 16 percent of all Americans ages 16 to 24 are high school dropouts. Among men 16 to 24, who would be the most likely to be drafted (once they come of age, of course), the rate is 18.9 percent.
Drafts historically have included deferments for students pursuing higher education, so while it is not necessary to include such a deferment in the future, history indicates the burden of war would likely fall mostly on the shoulders of these young people, who couldn’t even enroll in a community college to avoid the draft.
It seems ridiculous to suggest America ought to scare its least-educated into voting and making their voices heard. Yet this is the exact effect the draft would have on the political dialogue in this country; wedge issues and mudslinging, which are easier to understand than nuanced arguments and already too prevalent in politics, would become even more pervasive.
The volunteer military system preserves personal choice for young people.
Young people like myself who enjoy living in a relatively free country such as America but would sooner go to prison than suit up in camouflage should not be forced to decide between these two unpleasant options.
Finally, what I consider to be most important about the issue of a draft is the simple moral implications of forced national service.
While I do not claim to be a scholar or even a student of philosophy, I am deeply inclined toward the concept of self-ownership. One does not, by the geographical coincidence of his birthplace, owe his time and life to the U.S. military or to the government that commands it.
That a large percentage of citizens’ personal incomes is taken directly by governments at various levels is enraging enough. I refuse to accept Rhea’s implicit assumption that, in exchange for the favor of robbing me of this money, I ought to risk my life for the desires of a few hundred people in Washington, DC whom I would rather have nothing to do with.
This refusal of “national duty” holds for all proposals of mandatory national service, including President Barack Obama’s now-rescinded proposal of the creation of a mandatory civil service corps in his original campaign platform. Forced labor was outlawed everywhere in this nation over a century ago, and I am in no hurry to make exceptions for the government or the military.
Click here to read why The Daily's Slater Rhea thinks the draft would increase voter participation
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dio 2 years, 3 months ago
@mcbob
"The same military that gives you the freedom to wear that hideous anarchy sweatshirt. The same military that has given you the freedom to write this column. The same military that gives you the freedom to protest against it"
The army did not give anything, but the constitution did. The army protects the country, that is all.
"The same military that provides food, housing, and healthcare"
Where the hell is my food, my house and my healthcare then!?
"Please enlighten us by telling us what country is more free than our own?"
Canada, Australia, and anywhere in Western Europe.
"Also, you are welcome for serving two tours in Iraq and an upcoming tour in Afghanistan so you could write this stupid column."
Wait, that is all you have!? Are you a cook there or what?
mcbob 2 years, 3 months ago
I respect your opinion, but come on! Did you even think about what you were writing? You would rather go to jail than serve your country? The same military that gives you the freedom to wear that hideous anarchy sweatshirt. The same military that has given you the freedom to write this column. The same military that gives you the freedom to protest against it, (which I am sure you do feverishly). The same military that provides food, housing, and healthcare. You must have a difficult life going to class versus the 18 year old kid fighting and dying in order to protect your right to this column. I am sorry this country is only 'relatively' free. Please enlighten us by telling us what country is more free than our own? I suggest you move to a country whose freedoms are greater than our own. You would be killed in countries like Iran, North Korea, and even China for speaking out against the government. I apologize for this long comment. You can go back to bitching about how unfair it is you were born in this country. Also, you are welcome for serving two tours in Iraq and an upcoming tour in Afghanistan so you could write this stupid column.