Will the Draft Return?

As many of our troops are redeploying for the fourth and fifth times, many Americans feel that it might be time to reinstate the Military Draft in the United States. The old saying is that there is strength in numbers. Our National Guard and Army reserve Units are taxed to the brink. Many people feel that we are spread way to thin now.

Rep. Charles Rangel of New York introduced a bill back in 2003 to re instate the draft. At that time it didn't go any where. However 4 years later and many in both the Congress and the Senate are having second thoughts. The readiness of our Military is on shaky ground. Roughly 40% of our present military is made up of minorities and lower lower class individuals. Rangel believes that middle and upper class whites should share the burden of war. He offered a plan to mandate military service for men and women from ages 18 to 42.

According to our military leaders, we are stretched very thin. To stay the course in Iraq and the Mid East in General, we either must redeploy our troops that have come home or send in new fresh troops. Many Democrats want our troops to come home. They feel that they have done all that has been asked of them. However, President Bush and the Republicans want to keep pushing our troops over seas. Both parties has legitimate goals. But, which one is right for us.

Many beleive the only way to secure our effort in Iraq is to bring the draft back. In the 70"s, the Vietnam War was undeclared war. Many families lost loved ones in a very unpopular war. Many Americans feel the same about the constant struggle in Iraq, which is no longer a war either. The war was over when the Iraq military was toppled. But, for some reason, the effort of accomplishing our goal of helping make Iraq independent appears to be going no where.

We are the strongest military and most technologically advanced military in the world. Yet, many believe that isn't good enough. Billions of dollars has been spent on rebuilding Iraq. Some feel that kind of money should be used to strengthen our own country first. I am a strong believer in America first. If we can't take of ourselves, how can we be expected to take care of others?