That draft you feel isn’t the wind that recently swept Republicans from office.
It’s the effort to bring back mandatory national service.
U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) wisely wants to reinstate involuntary selective service, ended in 1973 when America switched to an all-volunteer armed forces.
Rangel envisions some 16 million 18- to 25-year-old men and women eligible to serve a minimum of two years in vital combat or non-combat roles.
Only health and conscience would exempt conscription, eliminating earlier deferments for higher education or participation in reserve or national guard units.
Participants would earn educational benefits, based on years served in the armed forces, Peace Corps, Experience Corps or other public service.
The draft wouldn’t just ensure sufficient troops to provide national security during international conflicts.
The real benefit would be having inductees preventing professional militarists from organizing junta takeovers of government—thus ensuring continued civilian oversight of the armed forces. (26 NOVEMBER 2006)
