by Leslie Schwab

Created on: December 29, 2007   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

Instituting a military draft would have a largely negative effect on the United States population; especially regarding the health and welfare of our young men and women. For one thing, it would empower the federal government-the executive branch,in particular-to further expand our military presence in the world. The one limiting factor to sending more troops to Iraq is the number of available troops in our armed forces, under our present all-volunteer military. Some troops are already serving their second, third, and even fourth tours-of-duty. Establishment of a military draft would enable an escalation of our military force by a factor of five, or more. If our military were expanded to such a degree, President Bush might have already authorized forces to be sent to Iran, as well as a greater number to Iraq. Secondly, where are the financial resources going to come from to train and equip these draftees? The answer, of course, are the taxpayers. We will either have to pay more taxes, or have all federally funded programs as Medicare, Social Security, education, and health care drastically reduced. Thirdly, there are the issues related to the care of those troops injured in battle. The current administration has already demonstrated its inability to care for those men and women who have been hurt in Iraq and Afghanistan. The draft will deprive the United State of millions of future teachers, lawyers, and physicians: professionals who are already in short supply in our country. Finally, there would be the concern of morale. Under our current volunteer system, men and women who enlist, do so by their own free will. This was not an issue during World War II, when our nation was united in defeating Germany and Japan. This same unity has been absent in our current military involvement in Iraq.

Congressman Charles Rangel, a liberal congressman from New York, actually suggested re-instating the draft, because other members of Congress might be less willing to enter a war if their sons and daughters could be drafted. These individuals, however, would be able to use their power and influence to protect their children from the draft. Most of the rest of us, unfortunately, would end up losing our children to military service: placing their lives in the hands of the government.

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