Should Congress enact a military draft?

[goobergunch]

Poll question: Should Congress enact a military draft?

I'm not happy that I feel the need to post this poll. However, I would like to see DU general opinion on this.

This poll assumes that the rich can find loopholes, etc. I find the probability of a no-exemption draft so slight that it's not worth adding to the poll.

[goobergunch]

1. I vote NO. (n/t)

[jpgray]

2. Of course not--without media influence we're fish in a barrel on this! (nt

[jpgray]

3. And of course, using such a thing for political reasons is despicable

The real use such an absurd tactic could be put to by the Bush admin should NOT be ignored!

[bluestateguy]

4. I voted No

But I would find it entertaining to see all those rich, fat, frat boy, Republican chickenhawks try to squirm their way out of the draft with bullshit excuses (too fat, pimple on their ass, psoriasis, cross eyes, etc). In fact, I'd love to be on the draf board, as I would see to it that ONLY men like this were packed up and shipped out to Iraq.

[Faygo Kid]

5. No - from experience

Look at other posts today about the "chickenhawks." Power gets you out of it. Do you think the Bush Twins would ever be drafted? Didn't think so. I came close, in 1970 - but lottery number was too high. Why was I spared, when others died? The draft isn't the answer. The answer is to begin again to act as a responsible nation that is part of the international family. Defeat Bush.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. compulsory service

like in Europe and elsewhere. I can't vote on this. I'm torn to say yes with NO loopholes.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Well, I'd suggest starting with everyone who thinks our War on Iraq

was righteous. Seems we would want the ideological and fervant supporters of this pResident and his actions to be the 1st ones to go. True believers make better fighters, I think.

After they have their eyes opened, I suspect that a draft will be unnecessary.

[goobergunch]

8. kick

:kick:

[leanings]

9. A "draft", no.

One year compulsory national service with non-combat military options, yes. Draftees wouldn't make acceptable combat troops anymore. Combat troops would have to do at least a two year hitch. Conscripts could be limited to services, supply and other support roles, with other options including Border Patrol, Customs, Peace Corps and AmeriCorps. Give everyone who completes it something similar to the GI Bill, sufficient for an two year degree maybe, and double the GI Bill for active duty along with increased pay and bennies. All you have to do is pay for it. Maybe some gov jobs could be phased out and replaced by national service folks, and I don't imagine conscriptees would be payed much during their time. Might work.

[Cascadian]

10. I voted NO but there already is a de facto draft!

I cannot support conscription just on principle. I think it is not needed plus one must not be forced to join the military. Unless the U.S. was under immediate attack then we do not need a draft. Many young people are jobless and they have been pushed to the point that they are now joining the miltary anyway. In a sense, it is a de facto draft.

John

[Xithras]

11. Absolutely, and without ANY exceptions

Most American's will be far more reluctant to follow a President into war if they know their little Jimmy's and Janet's will be doing the fighting. Right now the military is primarily comprised of our nations poorer residents, so wars with mounting casualties don't directly effect the middle and upper classes all that much. Change that fact and you'll change America's opinion of wars forever.

Will it end war? No, but the American people will demand FAR more justification from its leaders before heading off to fight.

[Postman]

12. Absolutely Not. Ever heard of - involuntary servitude?

Violation of the 13th Amendment

[goobergunch]

15. My thoughts exactly (n/t)

[in_cog_ni_to]

13. NO!

and if they do, I'll be taking my 10 year old son to live elsewhere.

[eleny]

14. I voted yes because....

I believe that a draft in itself would bring about an upheaval of the neocon hold on our country. Once and for all, without one single person actually going into the service, it would be the end of the bastards.

Edited for unbeleivably dumb spelling errors that would qualify me for a 4-F.

[Judson39]

16. A general draft is better than only poor people signing up

If war is to be our future, and our Democratic congressmen voted for Bush's Wars too, then why not have it borne by a wider spectrum of Americans, instead of only those who can't find civilian jobs.

Eliminate the deferments for college and draft women too.

Then we shall se how committed to war we really are.

Then we can throw bush and his henchmen out of office as they should be.