What think ye, DU?

[Brigid]

Some time back, a poster on another political message board suggested that we should enact the following federal law:

If going to war is contemplated, there should be a draft, plus a tax surcharge to pay for the war. The poster's theory is that at least then the whole country would have to count the cost before a war is ever entered into, thus preventing the type of foolishness the Bush regime has engaged in.

So what do you think?

[LaurenG]

1. Well with the stipulation that any member of congress who declared war

would have to send their own kids or parents first.

[Jackpine Radical]

4. That's the way it used to be.

And I think this whole proposal is a great idea.

[zonmoy]

6. any relative of a politician and the politician itself that is draft age

should be automatically enlisted the moment that any war is declared. although, I am not sure what draft age should be. minimum must be 18 but is there a maximum age that one can reach and not get drafted.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

2. Works for me.

nt.

[pbca]

3. I'd vote yes..with a few amendments

1) That people cannot be exempted from the draft except by severe physical disability. Conscientious objector status could be claimed but would result only in assignment to another field (still in the military, but in a support role - stateside or otherwise).

2) That the full cost of the war be payed for by the tax surcharge: not just a honorary token followed by a mountain of debt.

[Jackpine Radical]

5. I could imagine a national emergency of such a nature

that we'd have to spend another generation into debt to get out. Maybe a war, maybe something else. In fact, I'd argue that the twin-headed environmental and energy crisis is a case in point.

[pbca]

9. So could I, the problem now is that there are no safeguards

and the government has now spent the next 3-4 generations into debt without anything positive or tangible to show for it.

The schools need a massive influx of cash, environment/energy need Trillions and most of the US infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc) need a serious overhaul but there is no money for any of it really.

[Jackpine Radical]

14. I understand, but doubt that you can legislate your way out of stupidity.

Every time you invent a more idiot-proof system, somebody else invents a better idiot.

Discussions like this always make me think of Walter Mondale, who ended his political career by the suicidal act of telling Americans there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.

[KSinTX]

11. I like the amendments

does away with those pesky deferrments. Nicely said. Let me add a third: all contracts let in support of any military or diplomatic effort will be:

a) bid competitively with any potential conflicts of interest by any administration representative or legislator identified,

and

b) any contract let that accumulates more than $50 million to any single entity, including subsidiaries, must be approved by the appropriate Senate Armed Services/Foreign Relations Committee.

[LakeSamish706]

7. I think that it's a great idea, and you can bet that Congress Critters would think...

twice before voting in favor of war.

[DailyGrind51]

8. Everyone, especially those who favor going to war,

should share in its human and material cost. Don't think for one moment that Bush, Cheney, and Rove did not calculate making the Iraq invasion appear "painless" to the average American into its marketing.

Hell, if we did not have a secret ballot, I would impose a tax surcharge on everyone who endorsed the Bush war policy by re-electing him in 2004!

[pbca]

10. As an alternative you could

do it the Canadian way

(I'm a dual citizen for those who don't know)

Canada has soldiers in Afghanistan. Every one of them not only volunteered for the military, they volunteered for the mission - or rather they didn't unvolunteer.

In the Canadian military every soldier assigned to a mission is given a briefing on it and then have some time (a few days) to think about it, talk to their families etc., and if they say "I don't want to go" that's the end of it. They are reassigned to something else - no penalty, no punishment, they even stay in the military.

So ... with a system like this you have the possibility of 'Throwing a war and having no one show up' : If the politicians make a bad call and the military doesn't like it they can opt out, if too many of them opt out...we don't go. Simple as that.

[onethatcares]

12. damn, you guys are way smarter than we'll ever be,

and your money is worth more. Can I visit with you this summer for 6 months? I worked for a bunch of ya when I remodeled mobile homes down here in Floriduh, so the language barrier should be easy to overcome, and I like beer. what say you.:yourock:

[pbca]

15. You're welcome to come up but

With two teenagers in a 3 bedroom house, we don't have much room

[blondeatlast]

13. I like it; we need to understand that there is sacrifice involved. I'm mom to an 11yo son,

FWIW.