John McCain's Universal Draft

Chicago -- Interestingly, John McCain was on the campaign trail yesterday and an attendee asked a question regarding the draft, and how we need to reinstate it to continue fighting war on terror.

WOMAN: If we don't reenact the draft, I don't think we'll have anyone to chase Bin Laden to the gates of hell.

MCCAIN: Ma'am, let me say that I don't disagree with anything you said, and thank you.

Take a look back when McCain was known as a maverick -- seems he had a different story about the rich, and how unfair today's draft would become.

The United States discontinued the draft in 1973 and instituted an all-volunteer military -- and only uses the Selective Service System for young men who are required to register between the ages of 19 to 25, so the government can have you readily available if the draft was enacted.

Now the question is, if John McCain is in fact keen on enacting the draft -- will he keep the law for only men? We live in 2008, Hilary Clinton was close to becoming the democratic nominee and possibly the President of the United States. Women serve in the military now, so why not change the mandatory system to included men and women?

Well, because every parent across America would be up in arms to protest this very act. What parent wants their child and, for that matter, their baby girl being forced to live a life they had no voice in choosing? In fact, why hasn't the media (except for Keith Obermann from MSNBC Countdown) been all over this latest news story about John McCain from the past video to the video below? Hopefully, this will get more airplay in the days ahead.

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Comments

[BEHM777]

A couple of days late, I know.

A draft is the LAST thing that this country or its military needs right now. While I have no issue with military experience, training or discipline--I am a disabled veteran (USMC), you can't have people there that don't want to be there. It would devolve into chaos.

There is enough problem with gang activity in the Army and the Navy. My jaundiced eye sees the potential for that SOARING if a draft was foolishly reintroduced into American life. The all volunteer military has worked fairly well. My solution to the personnel issue would be to get out of Iraq and increase the size of the military by about 10%-15%. It can be done with the proper incentives.

Perhaps then the military can again be seen by some as a way gain some discipline, knowledge and life experience, rather than an invitation to slaughter.

BEHusseinM777

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

I agree, some type of bonus plan or benefits before, during or after they serve. Perhaps then, members would make it a longer life choice. Military life could be seen as a great career if, the government treated it as such.

Thanks for your thoughts.

[Mahi Joe]

Sorry to disagree with you on several points BEHM but:

1. You already have people deployed which do not wish to be there. These are the ones doing 3 or 4 tours of duty whose personal lives and personal finances are in a shambles.

2. You speak of gang activity within the military. I thought that the military was that one organization which was used to discipline our youth and provide them with training and educational opportunity after they finished. Which, if what you say is true, then something is drastically wrong with how our military is currently run.

3. The all voluntary military not only consists of those in the U.S. Military but tens of thousands of private contractors who get a six figure salary which is not taxable up to the first $100,000, plus additional benifts, plus can leave when they desire with no strikes against them as deserters.

4. The Draft is an equilizer. All who have a stake in America should also have a stake in it's safety. If we are as patriotic as we say we are then why should we feel we should not be part of our nation's military preparedness?

5. Our military is becoming depleted. Unless there is a huge surge in volunteers, we will have to look at what is best to keep our military functioning and the answer is NOT a larger mercenary army..

And to answer your question before you ask, yes, I am a vet.

[LonesomeThunderbolt]

As I write this, 24 hours have passed and I am the "lonesome" commenter to this posting. I join Adrienne in asking why hasn't the media been all over this story. As one person on MSNBC pointed out, it tells a lot about how many wars John McCain is willing to fight.

[Adrienne Williams - Huffpost Blogger]

You're not alone, you go me! I'm with you...I just don't get it.... at least we have Keith O, to shed some light on this topic... tell your friends to come here to discuss it... if we have a community on it, perhaps it will get more airplay? I still want to discuss John's ex-wife!