NO one should be coerced to take up arms against another against their will

[bigtree]

. . . not under ANY circumstances.

I don't know how a country which regularly spouts off about freedom could even seriously contemplate a draft. I guess the fact that our government is actively considering one says everything we need to know about how much they (we) value that freedom.

[HereSince1628]

1. How can an admin so Pro-Life believe in deprivation, shock, awe,

and occupation that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives?

[jobycom]

2. No one should be forced to stand in front of those arms against their will, either

As long as our nation is addicted to starting wars, we shouldn't allow any of our citizens to become comfortable in the assumption that the war will never hurt them. If it's not worth sacrificing one's own child over, it's not worth slaughtering someone else's over.

[bigtree]

3. we see just how little control we can actually have at times over the start of these aggressions

really, the only thing we are in control of is our own ability to accept or reject our individual participation in violence. Unfortunately, there isn't any effective or practical way to isolate a remedy (in a draft) for those who advocate militarism as they deliberately stand apart from its direct consequences, and carve out a protected space for those who advocate against it.

What are we saying to generations to follow if we insist that, above all else, warring is an essential function of citizenship? What about advocating coerced service for peace against a determined push from our government to war? If we only offer militarism as the dominate option, it will sustain itself in that role through our total commitment to the prospect of war. Why isn't it just as legitimate to insist on coerced service toward peace through peaceful institutions and endeavors if defense against war is so paramount?

The root of the problem is participation by citizens in the affairs of government - at all levels. Coercing Americans to fight and die for a cause through a draft is often a desperate action initiated at the end of a process; not as a starting point. I think we'd have more of a transforming effect on resolving these militarisms if just went ahead and made voting mandatory.

[tabasco]

4. Germany & other countries have universal service with a cvil service option

for conscientious objectors.

So they have universal service (with really no deferments) but don't force people to take up arms against their will.