<p>Unfortunately while I agree with the premise to the extent that a dialog or national debate about such issues is very desirable, you cannot accomplish what you are suggesting, people are not going to vote to reinstate a selective service system. We can discuss the theoretical or talk about what is desirable but the debate has to come first as well as the recognition of the importance and value of service before anyone will vote to make that happen. In Boston they have a term they use when you ask for directions, just to be amusing; “you can’t get there from here”. </p>
<pre><code>We have conditioned our elected leadership to respond based polling data, not necessarily on what is in the national interest. Having been there I can’t say I blame them at times; compromise and a willingness to consider the views of your opposition seems to be in short supply and I’m not referring to just our politicians. We would obviously benefit from a discussion and substantive changes in legislation on a whole range of issues; Social security, health care, energy policy, the list goes on. When the term “sacrifice” enters the debate or even something as benign as “compromise or change”, is included in proposed legislation, look at the response. It’s ironic the same kids that we are talking about as potential candidates for a military draft have already been “drafted” in a manner of speaking, without any input from them or option to participate in a system that is going to force them to make great sacrifices. Not to fight, but to pay for an entitlement system and the national debt it has generated…. my term for it was intergenerational larceny. Well, before I get any further off topic I’ll shut up and get down off the soap box.
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<p>If you are interested there is a new book (2006?) by Bernard Rostker at the Rand Corporation think tank — titled “I Want You! The Evolution of the All-Volunteer Force” a reference to it along with some quotes can be found at:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.rand.org/news/press.06/09.14.html[/url]”>News Releases for 2006 | RAND;