Do You Feel a Draft?

We have 140,000 men and women serving in Iraq. More than 40% of them are members of the National Guard or the reserves. Recruiters for all branches of military service report a drastic falling off of enlistments, as recruitment quotas are not being met across the board. In the past few months, hefty bonuses have been paid to new volunteers. This has alleviated the situation to a limited degree.

But the problem is huge and troublesome. The idea of taking on Iran without producing many more GI Janes and Joes is unthinkable. Most observers agree that Iran would be much more difficult to defeat and pacify than Iraq.

In Congress, members of both parties have suggested a return to the draft system, an American tradition in time of war. We need to augment the volunteers who are not volunteering fast enough. After hearing the response from the public, those members of Congress have run for cover and stand silent.

Concerns about the nuclear threat from Iran are growing (war is sell) and the need for doubling the troop force might become critical. When the November elections are over, the call for a new draft law will be loud and clear.

The lack of a draft is a major factor in the sputtering peace protests. A certain apathy is created by a nation at war which relies on volunteers. A discussion of the draft might wake up the peace movement and cause the neocons to drop their imperialistic, expansive plans. That would mean a more peaceful, live-and-let-live world.