Bring back the draft

Posted Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012 0 comments  Print Reprints
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The all-volunteer Army is antithetical to democracy and is creating a view of the "otherness" of those who serve as a special caste, with special responsibilities and entitlement to special privileges.

This is dangerous and elitist.

Bring back the draft: a universal lottery of all 18- to 35-year-olds; three years of military service; no deferments except for physical or mental disability; three years of national non-military service for conscientious objectors; guaranteed re-employment for draftees.

Everybody stands at equal risk. Everybody has an equal chance to share the burden and the honor, without regard to wealth, education, gender, creed or ethnicity.

That is the democratic way. That is the American way.

-- Paul R. Schattman,

Arlington

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