I recently got out of the military, and realized that everyone with power sending our armed forces to war, have not served themselves.  They have absolutly no idea on what is going on yet they have the authority to send us to war.  I think that If you are going to have the power to go to war with another country, the people declaring war should have experience.
215975
If you think you have a chance to win go for it. Even if you don't win you will still be another voice against sending our soldiers without valid reasons.
493105
When our soldiers signed on into the military, they did so knowing and accepting that they might be sent to war. Now those that have signed up since 9/11, they know right where they will more than likely end up and still signed that dotted line over and over again. Our soldiers don't make a huge paycheck, they make very little actually when you consider they still have bills for their families back home. Throw in the fact that they themselves are out there getting shot at, fighting to keep our soil and families safer, they don't get paid anywhere's near what they should get paid. The ones that everyone is forgetting to blame is the terrorists, the same ones that flew planes into our buildings, the same ones that blew up ships and set bombs to our buildings. They are the ones that need to take the blame, not our soldiers or our government. This country has lost the reason that we are over there, they refuse to see what good has come from the troops hard work and thankless efforts. Yes, they shoot ppl, yes those ppl are being killed. Yet those that are shooting are getting shot at themselves and are watching as their comrades are getting blown apart by those "poor picked on Iracies". Talk to a soldier, talk to lots of them, you will find that even tho they don't want to be there, they also see the need to be there. If it was so bad, why do we have troops that are home safe and sound with their families reenlisting to go back?
330569
ever since military service became voluntary, the number of upper middle class (and higher) children serving has declined to just about zero.  this is because (a) they typically have more options in terms of jobs and so don't have to use the military as a way to get training/education/employment and (b) because no matter how patriotic they may claim to be, they don't really want to die for their country.  this disconnect is a serious issue as our government continues to evolve, since it is much easier for our elected officials to promote war as a solution to solving the problems of the US since they have zero experience with true warfare and because they have no one who will be directly impacted by the fighting.  it's the equivalent of monday morning quarterbacking.  either military service needs to be mandatory for everybody (reinstating a draft for example) or military service needs to be a requirement for election to certain posts (senators and presidents at least).  there's a motto from the movie Starship Troopers - "Service Means Citizenship" where the most common way for a person to earn citizenship and the right to vote/reproduce was through military service.  Not a bad idea.
6663
I think service to the government in some form should be compulsary for all young people although it should not be military except where required. It should be in some form or manner of service (e.g. writing software if you are an IT person, or doing something that is contributing to the welfare of the country).
22806
If you ask Bush he will say "Because God wants me to be president."  If you ask me, I think people were afraid to change the guard because of the war.  Basically, the American public said: hey, you guys messed up with this war thing but why don't you try and finish it anyway.  I am still shocked.
183610
Sad but true, all wars since world war 2 have been conflicts. from korea to iraq. every generation has seen war. or as the gov calls it conflict. tell a soldger that korea, vietnam, panama, iraq 1, iraq 2 is not a war. i wouldnt but the gov would. they would tell them it was a conflict. messed up i think.
26966
Luckily we live in a free country and can make our own decisions.  Of course our freedom is guaranteed by those in the military.  I'm retired military, with two combat tours, and I support the war.  I wouldn't want my son to join the military because most Americans don't appreciate the military nor the fredoms they provide.  Basically most Americans are not worth my sons life.
400232
United States citizens have become very passive and unwilling to fight any type of authority. \nAmericans would never "rise up" against the government no matter what it decided to do. \nWe have become lazy and complacent.\n\nFor those of you who have given me thumbs down, do you REALLY think that if armed soldiers went door to door and declared a police state that a nation of white collar workers and soccer moms who are scared to fight a traffic ticket would rise up to do battle??? GET REAL!
69523
For one people do not understand our military.  It is not that our soldiers choose to kill they choose to defend our freedom (yes theirs ignaorant a** too) by whichever means possible. I will always be grateful for any one person who chooses to put other peoples freedom and lives in front of their own. If we didnt have our soldiers people would not be allowed to speak freely about thier views. So personally I think we should all give thanks to anyone who wears a military uniform and wears it proudly.
397332
It is not that we need a draft, it is a play from this gentleman, he thinks that congress and future presidents will be less likely to go to war, if there is a chance, their own children and kids from their home towns will be the ones fighting over there.  As of right now, no person who is high up in Government has a child in the military.  It is okay for my husband and others, but not for their children.  Also, there are a lot of young men that could use a wake up call.  To realize there is more to life than drugs, sex and drinking.  I think it is a great idea.  Your idea is also good, except there would probably be an increase in AWOL if convicted felons were sent to war.  I don't think I would trust my husbands life to a convicted person.  Your unit depends on the trust of every other soldier, and I don't know if that would fly to well with the other soldiers, having to depend upon a criminal, but if they worked in the kitchens and did janitorial work over there, that could be good.  It all needs to be refined.
313054
Much as I appreciate the sentiment it is really not practical.\n\nWhen you put your cross on the paper (or whatever system you use) that is when you are deciding who makes the big calls - this is the essence of democracy.  The impliction is that you would need a leader and a military leader - unless the suggestion that every leader must be ex military.\n\nNotwithstanding this, I wish folks would distinguish between the politicians and the soldiers when complaining about war and how/why it is fought.\n\nPeace (hopefully) out
251115
I don't understand what you're talking about,  being as our country is at war.  Men and women are losing their lives daily.  Who's running?\n\nI've never been in the position to go to war.  I DO defend families on the homefront,  by speaking out and taking action against abuse and neglect.  Many people run from this, saying it's not their "place".  I agree with you, in this sense, that Americans do not defend their country and families the way they should.\n\nI also agree that Americans have lost their pride - it's turned to arrogance and ignorance.  We're heading for more wars if we don't change - in a hurry.
89463
I don't believe it's necessary at all, I mean, here we are teaching our kids it's not right to fight, that when someone picks a fight with you walk away or talk it out, then we have War....isn't that being a hypocrite?  I understand we need to defend our country..I agree, but there are other ways...
31114
The thought is there but let me ask you this.\nHave it ever crossed your mind that someone may drive their truck through a red light and side swip you in your car? Yes the thoughts are there but it is important to control that fear. \nPeople join the military because they want to serve their country, they are proud to be an American and want to defend, I'll say it again DEFEND their country so that you and everyone else in this country have freedom. If all American were to act like you we would be under control of a country like Iran, Iraq, Syria, ect.. and ALL of our rights would be taken away and forced to live life as they want us to live.\nSorry my friend that is not want I want. Proud that there are people willing to die for America to ensure that we have freedom.
507454
there is sort of a back-door draft going on where they can get people who are out of the military back in, even if they've already served their time.  If a full draft starts, you will see a definite changing of feelings toward the war.
509577
It was a way of making a point, Though this certain person has brought up the subject before, it is a way to deter Republicans from going to war by making it a possibility for those who come from all sorts of backgrounds be it rich or poor have to go fight as well. . Meaning Senators and Congressman's children to have to go no matter what. Well that's what i got from this news article. Read it and make your own opinion :)
610632
IT's better for trained officials to be under attack and able to fight back then for American civilians to be attacked in our own country and be completely defensless. I don't want our troops to be dead or in danger, but they are protecting this country. Think about that before you try to debate. Eventually, Iraq will become stable!! They will....but only once we rid them of the people who are against a stable goverment. They need help and it's not all about helping them either. On Semptember 11, so many Americans died because a few idiots decided to hurt us. We are just paying them back the favor. You have a good point but think about reasons why we should be there too