Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Formerly About Advanced Micro Devices -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (326296)	2/18/2007 8:02:14 AM
From: Road Walker	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1576320

re: If there was a draft, a president would have limitless power to wage war and call up as many troops as he or she feels like. No recruitment incentives such as pay increases, benefits, or what not, just conscript any able-bodied person. No sense of calling up only those who feel a duty to serve for whatever reason, just force the pro-war and anti-war alike to go fight. It there was a draft (and I would also like to see a supplemental tax) the lead up debate would be much more intense, the bar set much higher. Why do you think it's fair that only the most pro-war, those that willing to put their life on the line, are the only ones (along with their families) to sacrifice for the national interest? War is the most drastic and costly decision a country can make. It's a simple cost/benefit analysis, albeit with a very high cost. *It everyone shares the cost equally (or at least the risk) then you will get much better decisions. What if the Bush admin had come to the American people and said "I want to go to war in Iraq and I'm going to impose a yearly tax of xx% to pay for it. And we're going to have a fair draft, with no deferments, to supply 50% of the soldiers and 50% of the administrators for the war. I need Congressional approval, please write your representative". My WAG: 1. We probably wouldn't be in Iraq right now, and the country, the ME region and the world would be a lot better off for it. If people's kids were at risk, they would have become better educated, they would have seen through the BS. 2. If we had gone to war, there would be a lot more public support at this point in time. If it's the right war at the right time, the American people will make the sacrifice. If the cost exceeds the benefit, the American people will reject the war, as it should be. I realize my opinion is a minority opinion... everybody wants everything for free, including wars. As you would say "the entitlement society".

To: Tenchusatsu who wrote (326296)	2/18/2007 9:37:42 AM
From: bentway	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 1576320

"In other words, the power to impress people into battle is a power that can and will be easily abused. More people may protest, but the president doesn't have to listen, just like Bush doesn't have to listen to the polls that are overwhelmingly against a surge in Iraq." The President has the power to re-start the draft now, or at any time. Americans are REQUIRED to register on their 18th birthday. The machinery is all in place. So, that the draft isn't going right now doesn't limit the President's powers at all. He could start it tomorrow.