Should we bring back the draft?
That's a question some in politics and the media want to put back on the table. After all, we are (as we're constantly reminded) in a war that could last a generation. And so far, the massive majority of Americans have had absolutely nothing asked of them. No one has asked us to sacrifice. No one has asked us to take risks. About the only thing we've been told to do is to keep our eyes open for anything that looks suspicious. I doubt any of us will be earning a purple heart or a silver star for performing an occasional glance in the line of duty.
But shouldn't we be asked to make some sacrifice in a time of war?
While the discussion is interesting and it's patently unfair that a small number of families must worry, obsess and even mourn while the rest of us go about our normal business, bringing back the draft will never happen.
So lately I've been trying to think of an appropriate level of sacrifice that should be demanded of the American people. My first idea was to hit us in our pocketbooks. Why should we be paying less in taxes when our countrymen are fighting a war? We should be paying more. We should have a war tax. We should have adopt a soldier programs. How can one get less for risking his life on behalf of freedom than someone else gets for shooting a ball through a hoop? Wouldn't public opinion about a war be more valid if we were being asked to foot part of the bill. Yes, you're in favor of the war, but is it worth say, fifty bucks a week?
But then I thought, no, that's too much to ask.
So then where should we sacrifice? At least we should be forced to acknowledge that a war is going on and be required to follow along with its ups and downs. Right? So maybe the American public should be targeted where we'll feel it the most. What I'm about to suggest will sound radical even to the most zealous patriots, but here goes anyway.
Article comments
1 - Marc
Excellant idea. But how would I pay my fair share?
I watch none of the top twenty now, if they are pulled I get off scot free. Surely thats not fair, to all those morons that pay by loss of the Apprentice, or Its a Simple Life.
2 - jadester
I should think a "war on terror"(tm) will last a great deal longer than a measly generation. As long as enough people feel they are being oppressed without good reason, you'll have terrorists.
But a draft would be a good idea to truly bring home to alot of americans the reality of what is going on. In fact, we should do the same here in the uk, if only to kick-start all those who think Blair is doing a shit job but can't be arsed to e.g. vote
3 - Jim Carruthers
Sounds like a good plan to increase the quality of 'murrican teevee overall through a campaign of total war.
"You can't cancel "Wonderfalls", don't you know there's a war on?"
Can't make things worse.
4 - RJ Elliott
JC:
If American television sucks so hard, why does Canada place a limit on the amount Canadians are allowed to view?
Apparently, given free choice, Canadians would watch more American TV than their government thinks is good for them.
I guess Canuckivision sucks worse than the tripe we have down here...
5 - Jim Carruthers
RJ: because there's no such thing? There is legislation prohibiting foreign ownership of media outlets, and like elsewhere, if you want a license for a portion of the public broadcast spectrum you have to commit to a performance standard in the public interest.
Of the national teevee broadcasters, only the CBC is committed to creating only Canadian programmes in prime time, but they are the public broadcaster. The other two national broadcasters mostly air US programmes.
However, thank you for dispelling any doubt I have that most USAians have nothing relevant to say, or have any knowledge of the world beyond their couch.