CBS commentator Andy Rooney called for bringing back the draft in Sunday’s closing of 60 Minutes.
Sadly, I couldn’t agree more.
Rooney detailed his experience in the military, and criticized current military recruitment practices of reduced educational standards and "moral waivers." Rooney spoke of how the draft changed the military in WWII – changing it for the better.
"Moral waivers" are being granted by the thousands – to men and women that have committed crimes and some that have even been in prison. 8,129 of these "moral waivers" were granted by the Army last year. Rooney asked: "Are these the people we want representing us?"
Ironic, isn’t it – I mean moral waivers? Does that make the Iraqi war a morally waived war?
Jon Stewart, of The Daily Show, also made a statement on the military draft this past week, when interviewing one of his guests (Wynton Marsalis, I think) – to paraphrase, he said "I keep saying, all we need to do is bring back the draft and we’ll get young people interested in politics."
To be clear here – I don’t believe that our entire military is made up on criminals and high school dropouts. By and large, they are honorable men and women (several who I know personally) who are sacrificing tremendously for not only people like you and me – but for a belief that serving for the United States is a noble cause. I just hate it, though, that the current military is made up of predominately rural and financially-challenged individuals who would risk so much for a chance at an education and medical care and a steady-albeit-pithy salary.
Mr. Rooney believes that when we, as a nation, decide to fight a war, that it should be fought by average Americans. I agree. It should be made up of a full spectrum of people – black, white, rich, poor, and those with bachelor degrees, master’s degrees and high school diplomas. Not just those with little chance at advancement other than risking everything for so little to gain.