2 things that most wont like, but I think directly led to the America's of today

[captain queeg]

First the end of the draft and going to an all volunteer force. Politicians and rich peoples kids will never join. And the military has learned that by the use of high tech weapons they can keep American casualties low enough they can pursue wars of choice.

The 2nd was the fall of the Soviet Union. Even though they had a pretty shitty version of communism the was at least an alternate government that opposed capitalism. Now all those ex communist countries are trying there best to play ball like us; the capitalist side. Hopefully democracry will prevail. I use the term capitalist be because that really describes what we’ve become.

[applegrove]

1. We are all mixed market economies. Nobody advocates for pure capitalism except the GOP and even they

Last edited Wed Aug 1, 2018, 12:57 AM - Edit history (1)

want to keep charter schools funded publicly and oil and gas subsidies, agriculture ones and the military. Communism kept everyone but the ruling elite poor. The outcomes of pure capitalism and pure communism are the same in practice.

[KT2000]

2. ending the draft has made

wars - someone else's business. Few have skin in the game now so to most, wars are a story on the news.

[NRaleighLiberal]

3. And adding social networking is like adding gasoline to the fire.

[EffieBlack]

4. I agree with you about the draft

And think it should be reinstated - a very unpopular view. I believe people should be able to opt out of military service by performing other public service e.g., teaching, law enforcement, public works.

[mythology]

5. One minor problem, people from the richest areas are more likely to join the military

The military doesn't provide specifics on the income of families who have kids join the military, but those from the wealthiest 20% of census tracts are 25% of the military and those of the poorest 20% are about 11% of the military.

http://freakonomics.com/2008/09/22/who-serves-in-the-military-today/

Perhaps the truly upper wealthy, say the top 5% are underrepresented, but it's hard to argue that even the upper middle class isn't joining the military.

[flotsam]

8. Okay

what percentage of rich folk are are enlisted or NCO or are they mainly as I expect shake and bake officers?

[braddy]

10. People are also surprised when they see who makes up most combat deaths.

[Jake Stern]

6. I'd accept a return of the draft with 2 conditions:

1. Males AND Females are drafted at age 18. If you expect my son to go off and die then your daughter better be there as well.

And

2. No exemptions other than conscientious objection and genuine hardship. Can't hide at Yale for 4 years.

Otherwise no deal.

[flotsam]

7. My Thoughts

During the 7 years of the draft during Vietnam no senators family member received a draft notice. Only one senator's son actually served in-country voluntarily-Al Gore who served as a photographer. Currently out of 535 members of congress only 7 have children in the military. For comparison the "elite" Royal Family of Great Britain have four or more members who have served..

Vietnam-my brother was drafted and spent a year in combat with the 101 Airborne. I joined and stayed stateside. I and my brother (whom I've asked) want politicians and the wealthy to have skin in the game.

[captain queeg]

11. I didn't realize CCR was speaking so much. Truth

It ain’t me, I ain’t no senator’s son...they were saying it exactly as it is.

I personally think 9/11 was used by the right to forward there agenda.

WhT we need today is some Vietnam era protests. Don’t see it happening though, at least in time.

[flotsam]

9. Why drafting girls is important

I could give you 20 reasons-but I want you to picture this-A young female shot to death. Maybe then every soldiers life will be given value...