Should US require mandatory military service of citizens?

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This article is about an idea of Rep. Charlie Rangel D-NY to reinstate the draft--to deter politicians from launching future wars he considers too costly and unnecessary--and Sen. Lindsey Graham R-SC's thoughts on mandatory military service:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 76_pf.html

If you want, you can vote on the question in the poll at the top.

I'm from the UK, so I suppose this might only ever affect people here indirectly, but I'm having my say anyway.

Er... no. No way. There is no reason young men and woman should be forced to go into an army to fight and die for a war they don't believe in. Unless it was World War II or something of that nature. But no, I think it'll end up being used for conflicts of the state's own making.

NEVER!! !!

there is 0 reason to be in a military unless there is a war and if this world wasn't so illogical, there wouldnt be any war..

I seriously want to know what leaders discuss when debating issues leading to war.. I have a feeling its a lot of talking, a lot of "not seeing the other persons side," a lot of "lost in translation" points, and eventually, defensiveness on both sides.. well, both countries in a war cannot claim self defense so something is missing there..

So no, even though I am not American, I'd be pissed off if I heard they ever instituted another draft.. unless my direct soil is being effected I will not be holding a gun

Hell no!

I think I'd make the most horrible soldier ever due to my Aspie awkwardness.

I don't think that the draft is a good idea. It would take young people away from more productive paths to push them towards something less productive through pure government fiat. If they want more military men then increase spending on recruitment and retention, or work out some form of scheme to induce people who need some favor from the US government to join our military. The draft is political suicide, and it is something I cannot support due to the issues involved with such a device.

Allow me to explain my vote. If an effective militia is necessary for national security, then it is every bit legitimate to consider military training an essential aspect of secondary education. Instead of putting students on leave for the Summer, put them through training in basic military discipline as a part of their curriculum. Most of them would take to it like ducks to water. However, I don't think that people should be required to face the potentiality of losing their lives, by any means.

What if they gave a war, and nobody came?

Why not do things Robert Heinlein style?

Robert Heinlein's idea
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-When congress determines war has become necessary a popular vote is begun

-All citizens capable of military service most vote

-If 51% if population votes to go to war then we go to war and all those who voted for the war are imeediately drafted into service.

-Those who voted against will serve only be used in an emergency

-If majority votes against war then no war is declared
===================

This idea could work in my opinion

ok, this is how I see things.... As far as national compulsory military service goes, no. However, I do think we need to protect our 2nd ammendment right to bear arms, which means mandatory service of all abled-bodied men into local citizen militias. In our country's early history this WAS mandatory, to keep the government in check. However, over time, people have became lazy on militia duty and eventually people forgot about it.... Years later citizens have tried to revive it, but now you run the risk of being labled a terrorist (even though the citizen militias are reactionary groups as opposed to proactionary, meaning they'll only operate in self defense).
I am not personally involved in the citizen militia, so I don't judge others for not being involved either. The reason I posted in the above paragraph is all the reason I need not to get involved in it personally. But I will keep a gun handy for my protection, you can believe that.

As I understood the draft (from afar) it was easy for high socio-economic types (middle class if you like) to avoid it, leaving a skewed population with low education in the military in general and in Vietnam in particular. This I believe caused problems.

I think in any country, if there is compulsory military service, there should be no easy "opt-out" for anyone.

I may be wrong. I defer to others who may know better.