Reply #26: Then 'Democrats' aren't being 'democrats' (at least not liberal democrats) if that's the case.

[TahitiNut]

It's not just "one man (person) one vote" ... it's about equitable sharing of the burdens and participation in our own governance. It is no more 'fair' nor 'just' for 10% to bear the burden and 90% to enjoy the privileges than it is for 90% to bear the burden and 10% to enjoy the privileges. When I hear the lament that the wealthy and powerful escape the draft - and then hear "I want mine, too!" - I hear envy, not a sense of justice and not a sense of equitable participation.

The socio-political contract of a democracy insists that we share in both the duties and the authority of self-governance - the "fruits" of governance being either sweet or sour. Like it or not, We The People (at least anyone not yet in Gitmo) have allowed our nation to engage in the invasion and occupation of two other countries. To insist that those who bought a bill of goods about military service, either out of some sense of allegiance to a nation or out of seeing few alternatives to economic deprivation, should also bear the burdens of either (1) dying or being maimed for life, or (2) deserting or engaging in mutiny, is (imho) the most anti-democratic posture I can imagine.

I was once nearly seduced into adopting that viewpoint. No longer. It's noxiously easy to adopt an attitude that's self-serving - conveniently 'safe' while throwing some unknown other to the wolves. When push came to shove, I didn't foresee being able to respect myself if someone else went to Viet Nam in my place ... and died. So, I didn't go 20 miles south and live in Canada. I submitted. It was a time of a far more inequitable draft than existed in 1971 ... but that's the way it goes. The hostility I (we) were met with on return was palpable. Lepers. Well, the promises of a Rose Garden evaporated. Nonetheless, I cannot look back in resentment and must adhere to the principles I would have others adhere to. I see very little hope for a democracy in this nation without universal and equitable national service. The time to do it will NEVER be convenient. Never.