Non-Essential Conscription As the war on terrorism continues, more and more soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan are dying every month. The government is struggling to organize the number of soldiers maintaining the opposition in both Afghanistan and Iraq, which brings up a popular topic: conscription (compulsory military enlistment). Senator Charles Rangel of New York was the one who presented the request for the military draft to the Senate. The draft has been revoked and is still in effect since the Vietnam War, more than three decades ago. Reinstating conscription would not help this country right now, it would only make things worse. There is no need to allow a draft in the United States because our advanced volunteer military should be able to control the defense of our country. If years from now we are still fighting in Operation Iraqi Freedom and record numbers of troops are down, then Congress should start proposing a draft, not now. They're probably giving us advance warning right now, but they won't actually approve this mandate until next year or a few months from now. Who knows, tomorrow the government will be able to draw up a project if it deems it necessary. In January of this year, a meeting took place between Democrats and Republicans on conscription. They basically discussed how and when this will happen. “The middle class and lower middle class should not be forced to bear the burden of fighting and dying if, in fact, it is a generational war.” (Senator Chuck Hagel, Republican of Nebraska) He and many other senators made it clear to the press that if there was a draft, then the majority of the upper-middle and upper class would be targeted to fight for our country. I agree simply because during the Vietnam War, many children from the upper echelons of society found every possible way to avoid the draft. Our military defense has the most advanced weapons and protection system in the world. Since Bush took office, our taxes have contributed to military spending. After watching the Department of Defense spend billions of dollars on military needs over the last four years, I wonder why they need to raise this non-essential topic. The budget Clinton actually proposed was $277.5 billion for the SEC... middle of the paper... paying rent and in the best shape of my life. It wasn't that bad, even when I was deployed to Iraq I saved a lot of money and came back to the US feeling and living great. The reason I left was because I wanted to go to school. Every person in the United States between the ages of 18 and 26 should be aware of this situation that can happen. They should all have the right to be heard and share their opinions with the rest of the country instead of just the Pentagon, Senate, legislatures and politicians. It is not they who will be forced to fight, it is us, and we as the youth of society have the easiest intentions. Based on my knowledge and what I saw while in the military, I can say that our military is doing well in Iraq. We don't need to draft more troops for the war in Iraq. While conscription will ruin our country, another country will benefit, it makes no sense. Works Cited http://grassley.senate.gov/won/2003/won02-01-10.htm http://www.defenselink.mil /news/Feb2000/b02072000_bt045-00.htmlhttp://www.wsws.org /articles/2004/apr2004/draf-a22.shtml