The Draft

Draft vs. Doom

The draft is a taboo subject in America, but regardless of its controversy it is a subject that must be examined. The daft, however rash, is essential for America in case of a national emergency. Many people in this age of America lack patriotism for their country. Of course, many citizens ignore the fact that they are living in one of the only countries that offer you freedom and the choice to succeed as far as you want. However, "Of those to whom much is given, much is required" (Mackenzie) and all that is asked of you in America is to give yourself to her when asked. Many people would not risk their lives for America. That is when the government should put a call to action and reinstate the draft to insure the safety of American citizens.

The people that oppose the draft believe that it segregates the poor from the rich and it cuts America right down the middle. "...poor blacks, Hispanics, and rural whites should not serve so disproportionately in the ranks of the military and that those in the 'upper classes' should also serve..." (Akil) the opposed believe it's unfair to decide by wealth. They believe that if the draft is to be reinstated it should not be in regards to race, wealth or any discriminatory trait.

The draft may be prejudiced but it doesn't mean it is not needed. There are many flaws in it, but there are also flaws in government, society, in every individual. These flaws are fixable, and in the future they will be corrected now America must do what needs to be done. The Draft policy is for the protection of America, of course there will be people that oppose it, but it wouldn't be America if it wasn't. Yes, there are some wars that should have never started. If the draft is to be reinstated there should be strict terms of agreement between the government and the people such as, preemptive wars, like the one in Iraq should not have a draft. In other words the draft should be strictly a defensive tactic and not offensive.

There is also a fear that "[a draft] will provide so many troops that there might be a temptation to waste them in useless engagements" (Lacey). Thus, history would repeat itself, specifically like the Civil War. First of all, I'm sure in modern America we will not "waste" fellow Americans. Since the attack of 9/11 citizens have been more concerned with the well being of our troops. If the government