b top gun

When I finished college in early 1970, no one would hire me because I was 1A and Nam was still "hot". I inquired at a couple of national guard units but I had no "connections" so got nowhere. I remember, going for my pre induction physical, I had to take a test that measured language skills, mechanical aptitude and one other category; did well on all three sections and this Army sergeant was licking his chops. I was nearly 22 years old at the time and most everyone else was barely past their 18th birthday. I felt old! For whatever reason(s) I failed the physical and was reclassified 4F. I am sure there was something I could have done for 2 to 3 years to do service and learn a skill or two?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Man if they turned you down for the draft you must have been on death's door with one foot in a grave.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

Just think about that a bit. No citizenship status until you complete a term in the military? So growing up one would have no national identity or citizen rights not only in the country of your birth but on the planet as well? Would everyone who comes of age (18 years old) and who wants citizenship get to enlist or would enlistments be restricted? If restricted, what would the criteria be that would be “fair and balanced”? Do you truly think that those who were excluded by any criteria would be happy to forego their ability to vote for the representatives who will determine their destiny?

If everyone of age could enlist, then over 7 million people turn 18 every year. If the service commitment was 2 years, and you pay those enlistees $20,000/year, that would add about $280 billion to current military spending of about $640 billion - almost half again more. With over 14 million additional personnel, does the military have the means to effectively utilize that number of people? If not, then even more expenditures will be required for equipment, housing, etc. Do you think the voting populace would go along with increasing the nation’s military spending that much?

With that much manpower in the military, for what meaningful tasks can that many folks be effectively and efficiently utilized? For sure, some leaders will see the opportunity to use that large a force to open conflicts around the world to extend their power and influence worldwide with military force instead of diplomacy. Is that a good thing? I think not.

Such a concept of having voting rights vested in a “ privileged” class of individuals is the antithesis of what America and our democratic ideals stand for.

Stan

PH CIB

Stan,,,, You bring up some good points,,,everyone could be a Citizen but would be required to Serve either in the Military or Public Service....The CCC did Great Work during the Depression, We all are enjoying Parks and other Projects they did even today,,,and When I was in Viet Nam I figured out I was making about 11 Cents an hour so the pay would not have to be substantial the Benefits would be the GI Bill in paying for Vocational School or College with Employers participating in this in their Hiring Needs by also paying for the Vocational School or College for the occupations they needed with a work obligation of so many years like ROTC...Also Don Rumsfeld said on 9/10 the day before 9/11 that 2.3 Trillion Dollars was missing in the DoD and I saw recently where 6 Trillion Dollars was missing so cleaning up the DoD would pay for it and the Private Sector on Infrastructure Improvement could be involved with the Draftees providing the Labor and the Private Sector providing the Expertise and Management...this would foster a Pride in Oneself and One's Country something that is definitely needed in todays jaded and me only World...as far as possibly opening Conflicts around the World well that does Worry Me....Dave

RAR_man Loc: stow, MA

I, too, wish everyone would serve in the Armed Services or serve the government in some way. Male, Female, disabled or not. Maybe it would result in more self-worth, patriotism, provide direction to the young that don't have a clue, provide some discipline.

Other countries have. Why can't we? Why so much hatred for the greatest country on earth? I believe it would help with equality issues also. I do believe most equality issues are hyped and overblown by low-grade journalists looking for their Pulitzer.

StanMac Loc: Tennessee

With automation and AI replacing so many manual labor, and not so manual, jobs government employment may be the last best hope for many, if not most, workers.

Stan

RAR_man Loc: stow, MA

automation thing is way overblown. I come out of industries using robotics. Robotics create jobs, too: coders, QA people, operators, technicians, packers, shippers, technical writers, machinists, janitors, mg programmers, maintenance workers, etc., etc. So tired of hearing how no one will work because of robotics.

What is true, is that if the work is done off-shore, then jobs will dwindle here.

Unions are opposed to mandatory govt service. They stand to lose. GOOD! There days should be over. They have certainly ruined the US auto industry. Those auto manufacturers in the US who don't have unions (Honda, BMW, etc.) are thriving. Have great pay and great benefits. Lower employee wages allows manufacturer to buy higher quality materials. Ever wonder why Toyota and Honda last better than GM or Ford? That's the reason. BTW, workers at BMW, Honda here in the US are generally happy with pay, benefits, etc.