What do you think will happen if we have the draft...

[oldleftguy]

before the next Congressional elections? The army of the unemployed is running out of steam!

[camby]

1. Remember Vietnam?

I have a feeling that suddenly a lot of folks will become very political.

[ThomWV]

2. If We Have A Draft People Will Be Drafted

Its not a difficult concept to grasp. The reinstitute a draft and within about 6 weeks inductees start showing up at induction stations. Most people who are called will serve, the children of the rich will find ways out, and some folks will avoid service by any means, legal or not. That is what will happen. There will be virtually no effect on the 2006 elections.

[oldleftguy]

7. I disagree. I experienced the draft and was saved by a luck lottery

number. Things were very personal and very political.

[misanthrope]

10. I concur...

...we've been down this road before and have seen what happens. The children of the privileged get to go in the National Guard and work on campaigns in Alabama.

[bahrbearian]

13. Have you ever been inducted,?

I guess not ...

[ThomWV]

17. Yes

I got my draft notice in December of 1966. I was to report to my Draft office in Silver Springs, Maryland on the 6th of the month. However I joined on that same date in Miami, Florida (Coral Gables to be more specific) for an enlistment of 4 years. I served 3 of those 4 years in the Republic of Viet Nam.

So, to answer your question, yes, I was inducted into the Army, but at my own choice. However had I not chosen to enlist that would also have been the day I would have been inducted as a draftee. My military career was going to begin on December 6, 1966, one way or another. And it did.

I had no more notion to dodge the draft than I do to worship a god or to become a homosexual. I would no more have refused service to my country than I would refuse a woman the right to an abortion on demand. I do not think I was a particularly patriotic youth nor a particularly stupid one. To this day I do not feel any pangs of love of country and I managed to pick up a Master's degree in Economics along the way. I managed to get shot 3 times while serving and received essentially the same medals as Senator Kerry in the process. If a flag burner needed a match all he would have to do is ask but my right-wing Step-Father, who never heard a shot fired in anger during the "Big War", and I do not speak anymore because of it. I have Malaria and I lost my teeth at an early age - I suspect from the water purification tablets. I have walked though chemically deforested areas but I was never sprayed directly. My country owes me absolutely nothing other than as Governed I demand the Constitution I swore to uphold be upheld.

Does that give you a feel for my familiarity with the draft?

[bahrbearian]

18. My experience with the draft is the same as yours.

[Bozita]

3. Repugs lose both House and Senate

Now, it's their kids too. That changes everything.

[Skip Intro]

4. The people will revolt, unless

unless they are SHOCKED AND AWED into support

it would have to be 9*11 on a much larger scale

it would be a failure of the bush regime to protect the US, but on with the draft and off to the new war we'd go then, with ribbons and flags galore.

Scary stuff to ponder.

[bluestateguy]

5. Depends

If the draft is brought back after a 9/11 style attack on US soil, it could temporarily be a popular move. Otherwise, I agree with much of what reply #2 said: that is to say that most people will go just because the government says they have to go, and some will not come back.

[camby]

8. Of course, folks will show up. they'll have no choice.

But I do think that when the war is brought home to the middle and upper middle class, the voices of dissent will become a lot louder. Not every one who is well-off will be able to get deferments for their children. It will touch everybody. I think even staunch Republicans may be questioning WHY? Actually, I think the questioning is already beginning (witness Bush's sinking poll numbers).

[LibertyorDeath]

6. All hell will break loose

[surfermaw]

9. War will End, Republicans aren't going to war

Yes, the war will be stoped, in it shoes, unless GWB waits untill 2008 just before the election when a democrat is going in the White House, as long as GWB and his party has something to loose, he won't start a draft.

[stepnw1f]

11. I'll Put On A Sweater (nt)

[zoeb]

12. They won't try the draft before 2006

they couldn't control congress. I'm sure it will happen but it's election cycle kinda thing!

[camby]

14. You're probably right. It'd be WAY too unpopular.

And they know it.

[mikehiggins]

15. I doubt the draft will fly in this country.

Anyone who WANTS to join the military is free to do so. What would be the rationale for passing a new round of conscription?

I would imagine a new draft would be met with an incredible amount of boredom and indifference. Are the feds going to lock up all the kids who just don't go?

And on another topic, I don't care if its Jomentum or Ted Kennedy. Any Democrat who supports the draft should be drummed out of the party. Period.

I don't mean people who are simply busting GOPuke balls or trying to show their essential hypocrisy. I mean people who actually work to put kids into uniform to keep our wars of aggression possible.

Those guys should get the boot.

[wiggs]

16. For there to be a draft there would have to be a new Pearl Harbor. nt