Politics Information

Is Reinstating The Draft Such a Bad Idea?


In his bid for the presidency, John Kerry pronounced a "secret plan" to reinstate selective service. The fact that New York Democrat and fellow leftist Charles Rangel had proposed this plan wasn't mentioned, so Kerry's allegation created hysteria within the blue states. But there are several ways in which reinstating the draft could benefit our country.

FREEDOM IS EARNED

Too many people in the United States believe that the freedoms granted them under the Constitution are an entitlement program provided by the government. A general paucity of historical education, combined with a public education agenda derogatory to the Founding Fathers as well as God, contribute to this attitude. The fact is, the Founding Fathers understood that codifying our freedoms within a constitution was only part of the picture, but our freedoms are ultimately earned and protected through military preparedness and the judicious use of force, generation after generation. The reinstatement of selective service creates the opportunity for every citizen to participate in the protection of the freedoms they hold dear, and having thus participated, would contribute to a greater appreciation of and gratitude for those freedoms.

ECONOMIC BENEFITS

One reason that war has traditionally created a phenomenal decline in the unemployment rate is that during a war, a large section of the workforce is taken out of the labor market. By reinstating the draft, unemployed young people would in fact become employed, and would no longer be counted among the jobless.

Within that population, there are many with limited to no job experience or skill development. During peacetime, military service can help young people develop their skills and become more focused on "what they want to be when they grow up." Military service is a more effective career development tool than is a series of low-paying, dead-end jobs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OBLIGATIONS

Unlike many conservatives, I firmly believe that women as well as men should have military obligations. If we women truly want to claim equality under the law, we have an obligation equal to that of men to protect and defend the Constitution which allows us to make that claim. Women in the United States have the right to vote, to own property, to receive an education, to work outside the home, to pray, and to speak our minds on social policy. Why should we be exempt from action when those rights are threatened? Feminists fought long and hard to allow women to serve in combat roles; including women in selective service call-ups is the logical result.

DEFENDING THE SECOND AMENDMENT

Gun control advocates use the excuse that the average citizen shouldn't own guns, as the Constitution only guarantees the right to bear arms to those involved in a "well-regulated militia." Having every citizen actually be a soldier eliminates this argument. Plus, having more law-abiding people actually trained in the effective use of firearms would certainly contribute to the safety and security of cities and towns across the country.

The United States is one of the only countries that does not mandate military service for its citizens. Our partner and ally, Israel, has always expected its citizens to be prepared, trained, and ready to defend itself against the burgeoning monster of terrorism. Since the events of 9/11, shouldn't we begin to think along those same lines?

About The Author

Jean Fritz is a farmer and freelance writer, residing in the incorrigibly "red" state of Indiana. She can be reached via email, or through her website: http://jmtpubs.tripod.com.

This article has been submitted with no restrictions on reproduction, as long as author credit(s) are published.

jeantype@excite.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Politics Intrudes on Exams for Students at St. John’s
New York Times, United States - 3 hours ago
By JONATHAN P. HICKS Stephen G. Bock, a second-year law student at St. John’s University, said he switched his voter registration from his home near Dallas ...


Canada.com

Thai court bans prime minister, ruling party from politics
Christian Science Monitor, MA - 14 hours ago
The parties' leaders, including Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, have been banned from politics for five years. The announcement came hours after an ...
Video: Thai Protesters Attack Police Near Airport AssociatedPress
Thai PM Accepts Verdict Disbanding Parties, Banning Him from Politics Voice of America
Thai PM banned from politics as court disbands ruling party Daily Nation
Belfast Telegraph - AsiaOne
all 9,998 news articles


Boston Globe

Insiders seek to recast black politics in Boston
Boston Globe, United States - 20 hours ago
Mark Scott, Kevin Peterson, and Ego Ezedi brainstormed during a meeting on how to reinvigorate black politics in Boston on Saturday at Saint's Diner in ...
Mid-Morning Read: Redefining black politics, term limits, Cape Wind Politicker MA
all 2 news articles


ABC News

Sen. Durbin gives new reason to hate politics
Chicago Sun-Times, United States - 19 hours ago
... last week that her husband has no regrets for how he governed. You can't blame people for being cynical about politics when they see something like this.
Why Blago wants Ryan freed Chicago Daily Herald
Durbin asks Bush to commute former Gov. Ryan's sentence The Southern
Simon says The Ryan report ... Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Daily Herald
all 400 news articles


BBC News

Obama's cabinet picks shake up NY, AZ politics
The Associated Press - Dec 1, 2008
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Barack Obama's Cabinet picks Monday are sweet political gifts for the Republican who'll become governor of Arizona and the ...
Dynastic Politics Lives in New York American Spectator
NY Governor Keeping Mum About Any Early Favorites Washington Post
Hillary Clinton will be a very successful Secretary of State The Daily Voice
Newsday - Glens Falls Post-Star
all 1,081 news articles


Al LaPierre a longtime fixture in Alabama politics
The Birmingham News - al.com, AL - 16 hours ago
Al LaPierre quickly became a fixture in state Democratic politics after moving to Alabama from Massachusetts in 1969 as a young man. ...


This year, however, politics is getting in the way of a defensive ...
BusinessWeek - 44 minutes ago
In the last three months through Dec. 1 (according to Capital IQ), stocks in the health care sector are down 28%. That’s better than the S&P 500’s 36% ...
Daschle sets outs on journey fraught with pitfalls Black Hills Pioneer
all 6 news articles


Catholic News Agency

University officer fired for criticizing homosexual politics files ...
Catholic News Agency, CO - 3 hours ago
Toledo, Dec 2, 2008 / 09:07 pm (CNA).- A university administrator fired from the University of Toledo for her published remarks criticizing homosexuality ...


Fargo doesn't rule out return to politics as she leaves mayoral seat
PolitickerCA, CA - 6 hours ago
"But I think she's probably had her fill of electoral politics." Her re-election loss was largely outside her control, so her political brand is largely ...


Huffington Post

Body Politics: The Obama-Clinton Relationship, Pt. 1 (PHOTOS)
Huffington Post, NY - 9 hours ago
One of the striking features of the relationship between Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama is how much they touch each other. ...

Politics - Google News

home | site map
© 2006