Time for a Nation Service Program & A Draft?
By Thom Hartmann A...
If we want to stop stupid wars, we need a draft. For the past 18 years, the United States has continuously been at war, and now Trump is threatening more wars with Iran and Venezuela. The American people would not have tolerated this if most of their children had to participate, but because we ended the draft after Vietnam we now have an army made up in part of people trying to escape poverty and others with a military history who enthusiastically see war as a way to make rapid promotions through the ranks.The military is largely missing the diversity of the broader American middle-class and the children of the wealthy, which is why 18 years of continuous warfare has not become a huge political issue. Deval Patrick and General McChrystal are proposing a national service program that could include non-profit volunteering or military service, as many other countries have done.
It's time to institute a draft and national service program, with free college or trade school after a year of service to your country.
-Thom
Comments
#2
If corporations are to be treated as people, we need different ways to punish them. In 1987, the NCAA punished the SMU football team with the "Death Penalty". The team could not give football scholarships for a year. The program shut down totally for a year.
In additions to fines and a few criminal charges brought against a small number of employees for egregious crimes, I propose that judges ban guilty corporations from hiring new employees for a specific period. That would include corporations not being able to hire temps, contractors, or sub-contractors. during that period. There are a lot potential implications of imposing that ban.
#3
I have been proposing a return to a national draft for several years. Thom's arguments are good. There are others.
I consider the all-volunteer military (avm) a disaster. That became evident when the US military actually had to go to war. The avm is too expensive. Young recruits don't generally have families - and all the immense associated expenses (braces!?). Benefit costs are tremendous.
The avm wears people out (with multiple deployments) and spits them out.
The avm is forced to hire expensive contractors to perform functions historically carried out by enlisted personnel. Too few people.
I like the idea of forcing young people - both young men and women after high school - into a 2 year commitment of national service. Multiple choices of where and how to serve. We live in a remarkable country, and we need to provide some form of pay-back for what we have here.
I don't know the statistics about male and female rape before the avm, but it seems to have increased dramatically with the avm.
USN 68-72. Veterans For Peace
#4
I just heard Thom mention national service on his radio show. I have long thought that mandatory 2-3 year service would be very beneficial. Year 1 would be based on basic and advance training military service. Year 2 would be civilian service along the lines of Americorp in which cadets would work on civilian projects throughout the country, from assisting in schools, clinics, parks, etc. The 3rd year would be more specialized training and education based on cadet's preferences. Or they could continue in military training While enrolled in this national service, cadets would receive free health care and education and training. By the time they graduate from service, they would have equivalence of associate's or technological school degrees and practical work experience in a variety of settings. They would also have the option of maintaining the federal health program after they leave service. Graduates could stay in the national service.
We could solve problems of health insurance/ coverage, and high tuition
Thom's Blog Is On the Move
By webmaster
Hello All
Thom's blog in this space and moving to a new home.
Please follow us across to hartmannreport.com - this will be the only place going forward to read Thom's blog posts and articles.
Images of Thom
At Mondragon - both the mountain and the cooperative city - in Spain (written about in "Threshold" book)
From Screwed:
"If we are going to live in a Democracy, we need to have a healthy middle class. Thom Hartmann shows us how the ‘cons’ have wronged this country, and tells us what needs to be done to reclaim what it is to be American."
From The Thom Hartmann Reader:
"With the ever-growing influence of corporate CEOs and their right-wing allies in all aspects of American life, Hartmann’s work is more relevant than ever. Throughout his career, Hartmann has spoken compellingly about the value of people-centered democracy and the challenges that millions of ordinary Americans face today as a result of a dogma dedicated to putting profit above all else. This collection is a rousing call for Americans to work together and put people first again."
From Screwed:
"Hartmann speaks with the straight talking clarity and brilliance of a modern day Tom Paine as he exposes the intentional and systematic destruction of America’s middle class by an alliance of political con artists and outlines a program to restore it. This is Hartmann at his best. Essential reading for those interested in restoring the institution that made America the envy of the world."
1) The generals don't like the draft.
2) Trump does a lot of huffing and puffing, but IMO he isn't going to push for war in Iran or Venezuela because he knows that any war involving sending the children of his base to fight in is going to jeopardize that support.