During the Vietnam War, people at home could finally see what was really going on in the war, and were personally affected by it. Because of the mandatory draft, everyone knew of someone who went to war, died in war, evaded the draft, or protested against the war. Also, this was known as the poor man's war, because the rich could easily evade the draft by sending their kids to school (Yahoo Answers).
With people burning draft cards, protesting the war, and people such as Norman Morrison, Roger La Porte, and Alice Herz literally burning themselves to death over this war, why did they do it ? Also, was this considered an attack on people's rights to decide whether or not to fight for their country (Vietnam Protest)? As this may be true, it is also an opinion, but we are all citizens of the United States, and if we are called upon for duty, why evade it? In some Scandanavian countries, it is mandatory for young men at the age of 18 to do two years of service for their country, and they don't protest about it. And I understand that this is a country built on democracy, and freedom, and the right to free speech, but if someone may harm your homeland, would you not be mad?
So the question is "Should we draft again"? And if so, how can it be done? Before the lottery was implemented in the latter part of the Vietnam conflict, local draft boards called men classified 1-A, 18 1/2 through 25 years old, oldest first. This resulted in uncertainty for the potential draftees during the entire time they were within the draft-eligible age group. A draft held today would use a lottery system under which a man would spend only one year in first priority for the draft - either the calendar year he turned 20 or the year his deferment ended. Each year after that, he would be placed in a succeedingly lower priority group and his liability for the draft would lessen accordingly. In this way, he would be spared the uncertainty of waiting until his 26th birthday to be certain he would not be drafted (Draft Laws). With these laws implemented, restricions do apply, and no person under 20 could be taken, which does save many young lives, but is a draft really that bad? Every person is entitled to their own opinion, but I can understand why people would despise the draft. But, usually the only people that support it are the ones who can't be taken, such as, politicians, and the rich who can't have their kids taken. So it all comes back to being a rich man's war, so in my opinion a draft is a bit far off of what should be done, and if a young man or woman would like to voulenteer themselves, more credit to them, because you are doing something that is extraordinary, and it is to protect your homeland.
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Draft Laws." 21 May 2008
"Vietnam Protest Movement." 21 05 2008 21 May 2008
2 comments:
I see where you are coming from. people see things that despise the war and wish that they never would have to exprience that feeling of losing someone in war. also i hate the fact that people are almost forced to be drafted into war and if you dont go you are moest likely going to jail. So good point!!!!
I agree with you on this. The draft is a rich mans war. Its messed up that people that don't have money should have to worry about going to war if there is a draft and that the rich peoples kids have nothing to worry about. I don't like the fact that the people that make the decisions don't have anything to worry about because none of there loved ones have to go into the war.
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