You Need Me On That Wall!: The Draft

Monday, November 20, 2006

The Draft

I don't think mandatory military service is a very good idea. I don't want a bunch of people in my Army who don't want to be there. They will just screw up a good thing.

Here's an alternative.

I don't think it's the purpose of the government to give people money for nothing. That is essentially what the Pell grant program is: free money for college. Let's end this program. Kids could still get loans. Instead let's make kids earn money for school.

We have a Peace Corps that serves overseas. Volunteer for two years, get two years worth of college. Volunteer for three years, get three years of college money, etc...

We have Americorps working here in the States. Same deal except less money. Folks who serve overseas should get more money.

We also have the military. Keep the GI Bill and other veteran's benefits for people who serve in the military.

So kids would have three options to serve their country, all honorable. All would earn them college money and give them a perspective on the world that most are sorely lacking now. (I wouldn't mind seeing a requirement in colleges that you have to live overseas for a time to get a degree, but that's not really practical.) And no one would be forced to do anything, it would all still be voluntary.

The Peace Corps and Americorps would have to be greatly expanded to accomodate all the new people coming in, but that can only be a good thing. And all the people going into the Peace Corps and serving overseas would give us a much needed boost in credibility and standing with the rest of the world.

This is what we should be debating. Instead we have a typical, politically motivated, completely doomed gesture. Which is done so that next election they have something to throw in each other's faces. It would be nice if they were trying to DO something, instead of just trying to beat each other.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...: i have to agree on your choice of motorcycles. i am riding a triumph also. i do think your opinion of draftees is incorrect. i think you probably never served in an army which included draftees. i have . i would rather serve with a squad of conscripts, and i have. draftees do however have a little attitude. they also usually were able to secure work in the private sector. they didnt join a service to secure a job in a service that could protect them from a combat roll. they seemd more likley to make decisions without a person in a leadership position doing it for them. many of the people that joined during my time , did it to avoid the infantry. joining the airforce or navy. when fellas got drafted, they didnt get any choice of what their job was or were they would be assigned. i believe every able citizen should serve in some way. military isnt for everyone and there isnt room for every one but there are other ways.i like that saying "freedom isn't free" i think is is for alot of people. usually the ones with that bumper sticker; 5:39 PM

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Col. Jessep:

Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. ...my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to!