If We Have A Draft, Should it Apply to Both Men and Women?

[welshTerrier2]

Poll question: If We Have A Draft, Should it Apply to Both Men and Women?

It appears a majority of DU'ers are opposed to reinstating the draft.

Some who supported the draft said it would "level the playing field" between the rich and poor ...

But what about extending this logic to include drafting women?

[bluestateguy]

1. Yes, but it won't

The religious right, which never much cared for the idea of women in the military, will not let the White House sign on to a draft that takes in women. Hence, the draft that is approved will apply only to men so that religious conservatives can relive their 1940's style fantasies of demure women seeing off "their boys" on the decks of aircraft carriers. They will also see to it that it is possible for only the poor and un-connected to be drafted. Do you REALLY think that Ken Lay's children will be drafted?

[Wyclef Jean Fan]

2. Is it necessary?

Is our military short of people. Is there a problem with
military service being voluntary?

Are women able to meet the same rigorous standards without
changing the standards for them?

[ComerPerro]

4. Well, it would certainly seem that we are running short of people

Welcome to DU.

:hi:

I would also imagine that, given the upcoming invasion of Iran, we will be needing more troops. And I certainly don't see a lot of the people who were of age and at the support the troops rallies rushing to sign up.

[welshTerrier2]

5. wow, your very first post !!

welcome to DU, Wyclef Jean Fan ...

it appears our military is indeed "short of people" ... of course, this assumes that congress continues to allow bush to wage war all over the world ...

now there's talk of the U.S. invading either (or both) Syria and Iran ... and our current troop strength in Iraq is inadequate to achieve the stated mission according to Max Cleland ...

Are women able to meet the same rigorous standards without
changing the standards for them?

my answer to this is: yes.

[newyawker99]

15. Hi Wyclef Jean Fan!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Clete]

3. Everyone should be drafted.

Chickenhawks will have to think twice about what kind of wars we will actually fight if there is a possibility that they or their children will have to serve in combat.

[welshTerrier2]

6. A Woman I Work With

thought it was just great that we were "going over there to kick some Iraqi butt" ...

she has a 7 year old daughter and a five year old daughter ...

i told her she had better be careful ... the war over there might be going on for another 10 or fifteen years and her daughters might just end up getting drafted ...

she looked a little shocked ... it's like she never considered the war could affect her personally ... no problem as long as it was someone else's nightmare ...

[Wyclef Jean Fan]

8. A draft violates our liberty

A government that mandates military service does so at the expense of our liberty. That is very coersive, if a war is just people will volunteer. And what about people who have moral or religious objections to military service, ie Amish or pacifists.

[Clete]

10. Your point would be valid it it wasn't true that

the volunteers some from the underclasses. Because of the situation we have now, these "volunteers" are being sent into unjust wars by a rogue element in our government.

[welshTerrier2]

14. but that wasn't the question the poll asked

please don't misunderstand where i'm coming from ... i am 100% opposed to having a draft in the first place ...

but i do think that if the U.S. reinstates a draft, it should apply equally to both men and women ...

[Muddleoftheroad]

21. Common good

We all work toward the common good in society. With rights come obligations.

[Melsky]

13. Good response, Welshterrier!

I hope more of these type of people will realize this is not some type of super sporting event where we cheer on our side. War is tragedy.

[Guaranteed]

19. Everyone as in EVERYONE or everyone

as in not everyone but most everyone?
Are we going to leave anyone 18-26 behind here in the US?

[tritsofme]

7. If we seek equality it should be in all aspects of public service

[Clete]

9. And what other public service do you have in mind?

Military is the only one I can think of that you put your life on the line, so I think it's imperative that everyone share the responsibility.

[leetrisck]

11. I guess I think they should take women also

Can't help but remember when Clinton was pres - "they" said "we better not be bringing any women home in body bags" Well - we've brought several home in body bags this time around and the people of America haven't blinked an eye - I'm beginning to wonder if people even realize it.

[shimmergal]

12. I don't support reinstating the draft, but

I might go for some version of national service, if it were truly universal. That means no "outs" because of social class, and almost none for health reasons or "hardship." N. s.draftees could choose from several options of where they serve while they're "in."

Presumably if we needed more draftees in the military, the "pie" of future benefits could be sweetened for this choice. However, if we were pursuing a reasonable foreign policy rather than waging pre-emptive wars and maintaining armies of occupation, this might not be a problem. Plenty of people volunteered in WWI out of sheer patriotism, and even after.

[welshTerrier2]

16. kick for the daytime crowd

n/t

[Loonman]

17. Equality

Do you want equality or not?


That's what it boils down to.

[kayell]

18. The only draft I would ever support

would be of all the congress peep and administration that led us to war.

[goddess40]

20. It should enclude the rich and privileged also

Personally I don't support a draft unless it includes everyone and I would take my boys to Canada in a heartbeat to avoid one. They don't have warring in them.