Today I learned something new about American politics that succeeded in frustrating me beyond belief.
Why is it that no one told me about the Selective Service System in America, which requires all male citizens when they turn 18 to register to have their name added to a list of people to be drafted "in case of a crisis"? As an INFJ liberal I was completely outraged by this.
First of all, it's apparently a felony for a man to avoid registering if he's caught. Yet women don't have to register at all for anything? I thought America was starting to get over all that sexist nonsense but apparently it's not ready for that. I'm not saying women should be drafted to unwillingly fight in wars, but it definately says something about the country. Just think of all the great brave women fighting in the American army by volunteer. Is the government saying in a "crisis" a woman would be completely useless to them and they would prefer a man? To me it seems like the government's supporting a patriarchal society where women aren't "good" enough to be useful soldiers. Or maybe it's the opposite?
It's also saying that men are disposable when compared to women. It doesn't matter if we send off a few thousand more men to die, but they wouldn't want any women to die. See how sexist this is both ways?
But the even bigger issue and my true opinion on the subject is the lack of basic civil rights. Why should ANYONE, regardless of gender, be forced to possibly fight in a war they might not even support? Or kill people simply because politicians can't get along with foreign governments? I can't even imagine myself, being a human-loving INFJ, being forced to hold a gun and shoot others. To be honest... I don't even think I'd be able to. I would just stand there. It'd simply be suicide.
We remember what happened last draft with Vietnam, right? Of course it's unlikely that we'll ever have a draft again because of that, but the fact that the System still exists is unnerving. It shows that they'll still consider it, even if it's a last resort.
I do understand why people might see a "necessity" in having a draft, but I don't think it has to be. I'm not good with politics, but aren't there "international laws" that most countries abide by? Well, I was thinking... what if there was an international law that made a draft illegal in any country? I realize the draft isn't just in America, but in just about every country in the world. Think of how this could benefit humanity as a whole.
In a sense, it would be like shrinking every country's army. The volunteers would remain of course, while those who truly do not want to fight would be exempt. Another problem might be: what about countries that rely on the draft for most of their soldiers? Well, it says something about that country's government if it can't get enough volunteers to support the army. Namely that the people probably aren't too patriotic meaning they probably are unhappy with the government to begin with. Wars would be a battle of patriotism, not who can throw the most "disposable" people at each other.
With smaller armies, much less people would die. Unwilling soldiers are deaths waiting to happen of innocent people who could be leading a beneficial life of helping others. Once they're dead, they can't help anyone.
What are you opinions on the draft in America? In the world? Do you think there's enough awareness about this in America? Do you think countries should continue to use drafts or is it time to move on?
Why is it that no one told me about the Selective Service System in America, which requires all male citizens when they turn 18 to register to have their name added to a list of people to be drafted "in case of a crisis"? As an INFJ liberal I was completely outraged by this.
First of all, it's apparently a felony for a man to avoid registering if he's caught. Yet women don't have to register at all for anything? I thought America was starting to get over all that sexist nonsense but apparently it's not ready for that. I'm not saying women should be drafted to unwillingly fight in wars, but it definately says something about the country. Just think of all the great brave women fighting in the American army by volunteer. Is the government saying in a "crisis" a woman would be completely useless to them and they would prefer a man? To me it seems like the government's supporting a patriarchal society where women aren't "good" enough to be useful soldiers. Or maybe it's the opposite?
It's also saying that men are disposable when compared to women. It doesn't matter if we send off a few thousand more men to die, but they wouldn't want any women to die. See how sexist this is both ways?
But the even bigger issue and my true opinion on the subject is the lack of basic civil rights. Why should ANYONE, regardless of gender, be forced to possibly fight in a war they might not even support? Or kill people simply because politicians can't get along with foreign governments? I can't even imagine myself, being a human-loving INFJ, being forced to hold a gun and shoot others. To be honest... I don't even think I'd be able to. I would just stand there. It'd simply be suicide.
We remember what happened last draft with Vietnam, right? Of course it's unlikely that we'll ever have a draft again because of that, but the fact that the System still exists is unnerving. It shows that they'll still consider it, even if it's a last resort.
I do understand why people might see a "necessity" in having a draft, but I don't think it has to be. I'm not good with politics, but aren't there "international laws" that most countries abide by? Well, I was thinking... what if there was an international law that made a draft illegal in any country? I realize the draft isn't just in America, but in just about every country in the world. Think of how this could benefit humanity as a whole.
In a sense, it would be like shrinking every country's army. The volunteers would remain of course, while those who truly do not want to fight would be exempt. Another problem might be: what about countries that rely on the draft for most of their soldiers? Well, it says something about that country's government if it can't get enough volunteers to support the army. Namely that the people probably aren't too patriotic meaning they probably are unhappy with the government to begin with. Wars would be a battle of patriotism, not who can throw the most "disposable" people at each other.
With smaller armies, much less people would die. Unwilling soldiers are deaths waiting to happen of innocent people who could be leading a beneficial life of helping others. Once they're dead, they can't help anyone.
What are you opinions on the draft in America? In the world? Do you think there's enough awareness about this in America? Do you think countries should continue to use drafts or is it time to move on?
