Yes, it's true. I'd support a draft. I think it's only fair. This country gives (most of) us the greatest standard of living, fairly clean air, almost drinkable water, National Parks, one or two remaining freedoms from the B of R's, and a host of other benefits, not to mention Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. Health care? Not yet, but we're workin' on it. But still...
Why, oh hand wringing Americans, should we not be asked to give something back in return for these wonderful benefits? Why not a...a...a...d-d-d-ddraft? There. I said it.
Try this:
Now, mind you, I'm not advocating just ANY ol' kind of military draft or a retread of either the draft we had in the 60's or the draft lottery numbers that I got to read on the air at my college radio station as they came off the teletype on December 1st, 1969.
[Disclaimer: August 24th. I was #36. but my eyesight is approximately 20/1600 according to my doc and I had already dropped out of college briefly and become 1A, whereupon I was called up but I failed my pre-induction physical and instantly became 4F (Fat. Flat-Footed. Flatuent). So as I read those lottery numbers, I knew I was safe. But I don't want to hear any, "You want a draft? That's easy for YOU to say!" comments, OK? Read on and you'll see why.]
No, the draft I would support would be "Selective Service" in the truest sense, with the key word being SELECTIVE. I know McCain has talked about some kind of National Service, but he's a wingnut and his plan doesn't go as far as mine, anyway. You could probably weasle out of his. But not mine.
The Official NewMexicoBear Selective Service Plan goes something like this:
- All citizens of the United States of America, sometime between the ages of 18 and 24 (their choice as to when) spend two years in service to their Country. All. Period. (Don't panic. Read on).
- No exceptions. No deferments. No excuses. No buy-outs. No rich uncles who are Senators (or fathers who are Presidents) can get you out of this. ALL citizens. Each and every one of them. Are you handicapped and in a wheelchair? There's a job you can do. Are you a parent? There's a job you can do. Are you rich? There's a job you can do. Are you poor? There's a job you can do. Do you, like me, have 20/1600 eyesight? There's a job you (or I) can do. Everyone. Does. A. Job. For. America.
- Sure, some may choose to join one of the armed services, Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and they will be paid a living wage. Good for them. They might make one of these services their career. A strong offense is a good defense, and all that. I'm sure there are plenty of folks who would wish to go that route, so this is nothing new. No different than today, basically; an all-volunteer military.
- However, and this key, you may also choose to join one of dozens...maybe hundreds...of different Service groups that make this a truly selective service:
Indulge me while I brainstorm a few options:
The Inner City Corps helping to clean up and rebuild our crumbling cities and towns.
The Hospital Corps working with patients in rural areas with poor medical service.
The Railroad Corps working to improve rail lines for mass transit and better passenger service
The National Park/Forest/Grasslands Corps working with conservation issues
The Highway Corps repairing our nation's highway infrastructure
The Arts Corps helping bring art and culture to cities and towns across the country
The Economic Corps working with start up and women-owned businesses to expand business opportunities
The Child Corps working working day care and working mothers
The Election Corps working with communities to run fair elections
The Apple Corps working with migrant workers in Eastern Washington (sorry, couldn't resist)
The Teacher Corps...
The Farm Corps...
The Science Corps...
The...oh, you get the idea. There's a job for everyone, regardless of your skill, interests or abilities.
The choice is yours. But you MUST choose something. You can change later on. But you must choose something. It's the law.
Unlike the armed forces where people are perhaps trying to kill you and thus you make a higher salary, these are volunteer opportunites, where you are paid a small wage and work for your room and board. But here too you can make one of these services into a career and turn it into a real salary if you want to continue your service (just like the military). But you have to start at the bottom. And everyone, everyone has to participate. No exceptions.
- But wait, there's more. You don't work in your home town. In fact, part of the requirement is that you work no closer than 1500 miles from your home. If you are from Maine, you work in Colorado. If you are from Colorado, you work in Wisconsin. If you are in Wisconsin, you work in Alabama. If you are in Alabama, you work in Oregon. Why the geographic distance? To let every American see other parts of the country, to see other people, other cultures, other levels of income, other foods, other views. Other Starbucks.
Oh, I can hear the cries now! "But I need to start on my career." "I don't WANT to do this!" "I don't want to leave my family." "I don't like to eat strange food." "I'd be afraid to live in city." "IT'S NOT FAIR that I have to do this." "I want to make MONEY!" Sorry. If you are to partake the good of this great nation, you need to pay your dues. And you need to see some place other than your old neighborhood. You need to meet new people. See new things. DO new things. Be useful.
At the end of two years you can go back to your old neighborhood and you will find several things have changed:
You will have changed because you have helped your country and grown up a bit in the process.
You will have changed because you have new and different skills, perhaps ones you didn't realize you had.
You will have changed because you will have met people that are different than you and your friends.
You will have changed because you will see your country in a different light
Your neighborhood will have changed because of people like you (from 1500 miles away) were working there to make it a better place in your absence.
Your country will be a better, stronger, more unified place
You might even have become (OMG!) a Democrat.
Is it too much to ask to help the place that has given you so much?
I don't think so. And that's why I support a "draft."
[Addendum: Yeah, I can hear people saying, "OK, smartyboots. You were 4F. That's easy for you to say to bring back the draft but what have YOU done to pay your dues? Well, it wasn't a "corps" like this but I spent three summers in the late 70's, in my late-20's, leading 15-18 y/o's on forest and conservation projects as a crew leader for the Youth Conservation Corps, building hiking trails, erosion conrol, and teaching environmental awarness. No, it wasn't 1500 miles from home but the system wasn't set up that way. But it could be...And ya know, if America actually DID this in my lifetime, I'd be at the front of the line. I think I'd do the Railroad Corps, m'self. Or perhaps the Solar Energy Corps.
Yes, it could work. If we wanted it to. If we didn't keep saying, "No! No! No! It won't work because..." No. It could work.
And we'd all be better for it.
George Bush fire Dick Cheney? That would be like Charlie McCarthy firing Edgar Bergen.