[fastpat]

Originally posted by Moneyguy1
I do not think the "draft" would be as detremental as you think, pat.

It's slavery, Bob. Further, it puts those enslaved at risk that those not enslaved aren't faced with; death, dismemberment, and long term mental health problems.

This time around, fascist Charlie Rangel is including an additional type of slavery, forced employment within government make-work programs.

I see it as an opportunity for a lot of underchallenged, spoiled young adults to receive some discipline in their lives and do some good for their fellow citizens.

Ah, the nanny state concept. That's a bad idea, Bob. It gets folks used to looking to government for all manner of solutions to problems, frequently caused by another government program. Who is willing to pay government to engage in mental "adjustments" on the young any longer, taking them in involuntarily. No one with any sense.

If not as a uniformed military person, as a paid worker on projects where there is a social need; the poor, the sick, abandoned or abused children, etc. It might just reduce the crime rate as well over time.

We don't want government involved in those types of programs any longer, Bob, they're all complete disasters as it is, imagine for a moment an agency that's about 40% efficient today, staffed with people forced to be there. What would you do with them when they're chronically sick, late, or simply don't show up? Forced military service?

The Coast Guard changed me from a young person with no goals into someone who became focused, accumulating three college degrees, and becoming a more involved citizen. Rather than fighting the system, I became part of it and worked for change from the only position that really counts...the inside.

Railing from the outside and wringing one's hands rarely results in positive change.

Bob, the Coast Guard didn't do that, it's part of the normal maturation process. The military constantly takes credit for that, because they take in 17-20 year olds, and few older. The story would be remarkably different if the minimum age were 21, which should be anyway, even better, make it 25 yo to get in.

The other issue is that the military takes a number of productive years of your life away, which are never to be had again. While those that don't become enslaved have those years to put to good use getting ahead in their lives, having never left their jobs, don't have to worry if there's a job waiting on them on return from service.