Universal National Service Act

[David S]

A bill to reinstate the draft was introduced in January of 2003. The House Bill is
 H.R. 163 and the companion Senate bill is S. 89. It’s called the Universal National Service Act. It actually goes far beyond reinstating the draft. It would require everyone between age18 and 26 (including women) to perform 2 years of service. Some people would be required to do military service, some would do civilian service in support of the military, and some would be for “other purposes”.
According to census bureau data there are about 30 million people in that age bracket, so this bill could put one tenth of the nation’s population in the service of the government. That’s way more than is needed in the military so most of these people would end up in some form of civilian service for the government. This is involuntary servitude, something which was banned by the 13th amendment along with slavery!
Even without the 13th amendment there is nothing in the constitution which says the government can make servants of the people.
The Senate bill was introduced by Ernest Hollings and the House Bill was introduced by Charles Rangel and cosponsored by a host of Liberal Democrats.  
You can view it at the Library of Congress website at http://thomas.loc.gov/    
Then type H.R. 163 in the bill number window.
The Libertarian candidate Michael Badnarik is the only one who has taken a stance in favor of getting us out of Iraq as quickly as is safely possible and not reinstating the draft.
It might be worth remembering at election time.

[Fmr. Gov. NickG]

This bill was not introduced with the intention of actually passing it.  It was introduced to attract attention to the disproportionate burden the poor and working class bear in the today's army.  

Note that it was introduced by two anti-war Democrats.  The thinking is that no one would support the war if it came with the possibility of a draft.

[John Dibble]

It won't pass - politicians want to get reelected, remember?

[David S]

You mean it won't pass until after the election.

[ATFFL]

You mean it won't pass until after the election.

No, it won't pass.  Neither party supports it except for a few anti-war dems.

[John Dibble]

You mean it won't pass until after the election.

What, you think this is gonna be the last election or something? The House of Representatives go to the ballot every two years if I'm not mistaken.

[David S]

We had a draft during the Vietnam era. Politicians kept getting re-elected, even as the body count climbed. It took 58000 body bags before public pressure finally brought it to an end. Politicians count on people having a short memory. People would remember it in November if the draft were passed today, but will they remember  in 2006?
Also the national service part fits right in with Kerry's call for service. He wants service to be a requirement for high school graduation. In fact from his web comments it sounds like he wants to make service (yours not his) a centerpiece of his campaign.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

people only have short memories on issues that don't directly affect them. They'll remember in 2006 if their kid is yanked away and sent overseas. My congressman won with over 60% last time, but if he voted for this he would probably lose with his OPPONENT getting over 60% next election.

And this does not fit in with what Kerry is calling for at all. He's talking about volunteering around the community as a requirement like many states and school districts have as a requirement. I don't agree with it, but it's nothing like a draft.

[David S]

"Volunteering as a requirement..." is a contradiction in terms.
No one has a problem with volunteerism, but when you add the word "requirement" then it becomes involuntary servitude i.e slavery. They are getting away with this in high schools for three reasons 1. they are holding the kid's diploma over his head so if he doesn't do it he doesn't get a diploma. 2. Most high school kids are too young to vote. 3. Kids that age don't realize that its slavery and in violation of the 13th amendment.
As far as the military part goes, neither Bush or Kerry has an exit plan for Iraq.  One may come some time after the exit plan for Germany! ( Don't hold your breath)
So far they are using reserves and national guard and keeping regulars beyond their normal tour of duty to maintain the manpower in Iraq. Sooner or latet they will need more warm bodies to throw at it. Where do you think they will get them?

[cwelsch]

Heh, mandatory volunteering.  That's like a square circle or a true lie.  Call it mandatory servitude and be honest.

Anyway, I doubt it will pass, but not for lack of trying.  Hagel and others have come out for the draft in order to make sure everybody shares the sacrifices.  Kerry is in favor of mandatory national service in exchange for college tuition.  Rangel and others want a draft to make sure all races make sacrifices.  It's definitely an issue, but ultimately FMA had a better chance of passing.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

And this does not fit in with what Kerry is calling for at all. He's talking about volunteering around the community as a requirement like many states and school districts have as a requirement. I don't agree with it, but it's nothing like a draft.

My sentiments exactly. I've been involved in volunteer work around the community myself, but I think it's silly to make it a requirement to graduate from high school.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

it's not slavery anymore than having to do homework is. I'm not in favor of it, but it definately doesn't compare to the draft or slavery. Nor does it violate the 13th amendment, although I believe the draft does.

[Bandit3 the Worker]

Well, it's not as bad as the draft or slavery, but it's based on flawed ideas. The whole concept of "mandatory volunteerism" is a contradiction squarely on its face.

[John Dibble]

Homework is actually relevant to the purpose of school - community work is not. If you want to earn money in a job, you have to do your job, not outside activities having no bearing on your company's product. School is a student's job, and if they want to get paid(grades), they have to do the relevant work and that's all.

[David S]

If its involuntary and its service, doesn't that make it involuntary servitude? Some people may think its OK because it only affects high school students or 18-26 year olds and its only for two years. But mandatory service sets a very dangerous precedent, that the government may lay claim to your services. Once that is established then the question of whose services they want or how long they can take it is open to debate.
Things tend to happen by increments in government.
When the income tax was created in 1913 the top rate was only 7% and only the richest people were affected. But today the top rate is 35% and even the lowest bracket is 10%, and almost everyone who earns anything pays income tax. The same thing could happen with mandatory service.
Mandatory service has existed in other countries, the former Soviet Union, NAZI Germany, communist China, and North Korea. Do we really want to be like them?

[Bandit3 the Worker]

For the record, Bush also supports mandatory "community service" as a requirement for a high school degree. Bush is just so arrogant, however, that I'm sure he would support counting only activities that agree with his views.

[cwelsch]

Most politicians support mandatory community service, it makes them sound like they care.