This past year, the Senate approved a bill that now requires young women to register for the draft when they turn 18. Men already have to go through this process, facing federal repercussions such as denial of financial aid if they fail to register.
Though making men and women equal in the eyes of the law is definitely a step in the right direction, lawmakers should instead use this opportunity to more closely scrutinize the draft process.
We shouldn’t have one at all.
Many people who are anti-draft try to compare it to slavery, but I disagree with this assessment. I think it’s more like an indentured servitude.
Slaves aren’t paid and are routinely abused by their owners, while indentured servants are at least promised some sort of reimbursement. The government pays the individuals it drafts into the military, but it also rips them away from the jobs and families they love, forcing them to work for the government.
Aside from this comparison, the draft is extremely cost-inefficient. It currently costs the U.S. approximately $23 million to maintain the draft system annually.
We haven’t had a draft since the early 1970s. Our money is being thrown down the drain for a process our country hasn’t used in over 40 years.
This cost can only go up if women are forced to sign up. The bill hasn’t been approved by the House of Representatives or the President yet, but we must remain vigilant against this sort of invasion on liberty and our wallets.
America’s military is doing just fine as a volunteer force. In fact, as I’ve written in the past, the military is far too large as it stands. To put this into perspective quickly, we spend over $711 billion annually on defense. China spends just over $143 billion.
We don’t have a shortage of people willing to fight for the country. Quite the opposite.
For the record, I would never disparage the choice to join the military. Our soldiers deserve respect and should be valued. But the government is trying to expand the draft of an already overpopulated military, and we simply don’t need it.
Since the last person was drafted in 1973, the Pentagon hasn’t even considered putting it into action again. We’ve been through wars in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Gulf, and a draft hasn’t been considered once.
It’s an outdated system that we don’t need anymore. I have full faith that an adequate number of people would come to America’s aid if we ever actually needed them, regardless of gender. Forcing people to join the military will just lead to demoralized soldiers and angry civilians. If you don’t believe me, look at the Vietnam War.
The American Spirit is still in good shape today, but our wallets don’t seem to be.
The government is taxing us for an outdated system that impedes on our civil liberties.
Instead of Congress looking to expand the draft to women moving forward, they should abolish it altogether.
dylmoore@indiana.edu
