By Bradley Rosenberg

Since 1973, the draft has been dead, but recently United States Representative Charles Rangel, a democrat from New York, proposed that the government reinstate it. Many members of my generation are probably opposed to this, but you know what I say? BRING IT, GOVERNMENT.

I have never been an army man, probably never will, but if I were asked by my country to fight for them, I would gladly nod my head. Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t have any fantasies about fighting. While I do enjoy those “Be a Marine” commercials where the guy fights chess pieces and lava monsters, I realize that’s not what war is about. War is pain, war is suffering, blah, blah, blah. I don’t have any reservations about fighting for my nation, though, when my nation’s government believes it to be necessary. I find it honorable, and I look at the other members of my generation who disapprove of the draft as pansies.

Of course, I realize that some people have legitimate reasons for not wanting the draft, reasons like they don’t believe in war, or they feel they’re more important at home. I don’t have any beef with those people. I do, however, have great contempt for those who are opposed to the draft out of fear and irresponsibility. While I have only talked to a scant few about the issue, most of them, particularly the ones from my generation, are completely opposed to the draft because of those despicable traits. I have no respect for those people. The draft is not about an evil government subjecting a quivering populace to the lethal onslaught of another nation. The draft is about a needing government requesting help. I think that, if the government has a genuine need for soldiers, that call for help should be answered.

I don’t know whether the government is in need of soldiers at this moment. I also don’t know whether a draft would be able to get the soldiers the government needs, i.e. trained and disciplined warriors of prudence and quality. What I do know, however, is that the draft can have many benefits. For instance, if enacted properly, the draft can lead to a more well-balanced fighting force. Today, a disproportionate number of minorities and the poor serve in the armed forces. If done correctly, a draft could make it so the military represent the U.S. population more accurately. Also, the draft could give the American populace more control over wars, thus giving all you anti-war kiddos out there a bit more leverage in the fight against the fight against Iraq.

The draft is not a bad idea and, as such, it should not be met with fear and resentment. If the need for one ever comes around, don’t leave the draft idea out in the cold.

– Bradley Rosenberg is a freshman journalism major and a member of The News Staff