Lawmaker seeks return of the draft before Syria vote

Submitted by Mastodon on Mon, 2013-09-02 09:55

Article here. Excerpt:

'Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) said Sunday that before the United States takes additional steps toward military action in Syria, the country should reinstate the draft.

“I truly believe we should have a national draft act before the Congress acts,” Rangel said on “Weekends with Alex Witt” on MSNBC.

Rangel has long been a proponent of reinstating the draft so that every socioeconomic group is required to fight when military actions are undertaken. He has introduced several bills over the years to bring back conscription. In addition to reintroducing the National Universal Service Act in February, Rangel also proposed the All American Selective Service Act, which would require women in the 18-25 age demographic to join men of that age in registering with the Selective Service.'

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He's been advocating a return of the draft for years, based mostly on ideological grounds ("spread the burden"). And of course, there's zero chance of such a thing happening.

Still, my problem with such an idea is that fundamentally, conscription is a form of slavery. It may not equate to slavery in its worst sense (a complete invalidation of a person's human and legal rights), but it's bad enough. In the US, it amounts to this: Serve in the armed forces or go to jail and be a felon, with all that that entails. When you get out, good luck living anything like a normal life, as your record will follow you everywhere. If you're an 18-25 YO and you have that in front of you, what are you likely to do? Coercion into military service is like coercion into doing anything else you don't want to do, esp. if it entails great personal and possibly moral risk.

The pro-choice argument boils down to this: my body, my choice. The gov't seems to concur. OK. Now where's the same reasoning when men's bodily integrity and right to choose what we do comes in? Apparently when it comes to men's bodies, it's not our choice. Need I mention the further example of circumcision?

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Submitted by Matt on Mon, 2013-09-02 14:33

I get your point about forced servitude. I am also not sure if a strike on Syria is the best plan. I admit I am somewhat ignorant of the situation, as I am no political or war scholar. I would like to know what's in it for us?

However, I also believe that in the right situation, self defense is necessary, even if it is a preliminary tactic of inhibiting less friendly countries from gaining too much power where they might become a bigger threat in the future. We all enjoy are freedoms, and when those freedoms are in jeopardy, I think EVERYONE needs to do their share to defend them. I don't think forcing anyone to fight will be an issue. We have a large population and plenty of people who are proud to voluntarily protect and serve their country.

If a war is worth fighting I would not think highly of those who refused to serve and defend when needed, yet after the war went on enjoying all the freedoms that others fought to maintain.

When I am not a stay at home mom, I am a registered nurse, and If I was called upon, I would definitely serve my country. I am proud of my country and proud of our military. Most of all I enjoy my freedom and realize I may have to fight for it some day.

*edited a few words

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Submitted by Kris on Tue, 2013-09-03 03:34

I'm quite torn on this. I hate the idea of the draft, and selective service, just as a concept, so I don't wish it on anyone, and would like to see it gone. But the reality is, feminists have been using "the draft isn't active anymore" for a long time to dismiss the sexism involved in it and selective service. So, not only would a reinstatement of the draft be a slap in their faces, it would result in one of two things happening... 1: women would likewise be forced to register... this would cause governments to seriously reconsider entering into any war they don't belong in, which would likewise save male lives (for the wrong reasons, but a life saved is a life saved. or 2: women wouldn't be required to register and men would have a clear cut, undeniable demonstration of institutional sexism to point to and demand some change. And last time the draft was used, people became outraged, and it was only men then too.

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Submitted by Kratch on Mon, 2013-09-02 19:51