John McCain and the Military Draft-Would U Die 4 America?

**Bumpy** · Civilian Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts

John McCain is a flip flopper on the military draft issue. Depending on who is standing before him, and if they are in agreement with him or not, McCain will one minute adamantly state that he is against reinstating the military draft-and another minute state that he is all for it.

In 2001, John McCain co-sponsored the "Call to Service Act" along with democratic Senator Evan Bayh of Indiana. McCain's reasoning behind this was that, "the all-volunteer military is looking for lifers-not those who might want to serve for shorter tours of duty."

The "Call to Service Act" would have substantially increased the size of the so called "citizen soldier" in the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC). And, John McCain believes that by increasing the size of the NCCC, the American military would be increased without outright reinstating the military draft. In other words, slyly implementing a "back door draft" under the guise of what appeared to be "volunteer" service with Americorps-which is a federal program launched by former president Bill Clinton back in 1993, and is a domestic version of the Peace Corps, which builds houses around the world, and educates the poor around the world. The NCCC is a branch of AmeriCorps.
John McCain told the Washington monthly that "the NCCC is a service program "consciously" structured along military lines. NCCC members not only wear uniforms and work in teams, they also live together in barracks on former military bases and are deployed to service projects far from their home base."

The Call To Service Act offered the citizen soldier a shorter version of military service in exchange for 18 months each of active military service, and reserve service. The citizen soldier would receive benefits similar to the GI Bill. McCain reasoned that a shorter version of military service options would attract more college students-specifically those wanting to receive the benefits of federal financial aid. McCain stated, "There should be more focus on meeting national goals and on making short-term service, both civilian and military, a rite of passage for young Americans."
McCain's 2001 Call To Service Act never made it out of committee.
In August of 1999, John McCains voted to raise military pay in in order to avoid the military draft, however, on July 13, 2007, McCain gave a speech to the Concord Chamber of Commerce concerning defeating our enemies. This is what John McCain said about military service:
"I am glad to see that troop increases are in the pipeline but current plans are not enough. As president, I would bring the army and Marines from the currently planned level of roughly 750,000 to 900,000. This will cost real money, some $15 billion annually, but it will not require a draft any more than similar levels did in the 1980s. It is vitally important for the next president to issue a call to service, to summon the young men and women of America to defend their country and its noble ideals. I am confident that this generation will answer the summons just as so many of us did in previous generations." John McCain is a Vietnam war veteran-and Vietnam was a draft war. Although John McCain has been vague about reinstating the draft-this will be his intentions if he is elected-even if he does it under the guise of another "Call to Service Act", or something similar.
McCain adamantly states that Iran and other Arab nations are a direct threat to the American government's support of Israel, and our naton's economic, military, and strategic interests in the Middle East, and around the world.

1. With all that has been said, if you are between the ages of 18 and 44 years old, do you think that you are obligated to serve this country by way of a back door draft, or a direct military draft?

2. Do you think Iran and other Arab countries are are strong threat to America and American interests around the world-such as Israel? If you think Iran and other Arabs are a strong threat to American interests around the world, and Israel-would you be willing to go to the Middle East-or where ever the American government needs you? WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO DIE FOR AMERICA? WHY OR WHY NOT-AND BE HONEST.

3. Do you think war and killing is patriotic, and a right of passage for young Americans?

4. Do you think that the president, senators, and congressman/women who have children who are between the ages of 18 and 44 should lead by example by drafting their own children into the military first, or sending their own children into combat zones first under a back door draft, so that they can lead by example, and practice what they preach to the rest of us?

5. And, for everyone else-Do you think John McCain is politically old school, and a war mongerer? Do you think that diplomacy should be used instead of war, or do you think a combinaton of diplomacy and war should be used in dealing with Iran and all of America's other enemies?

6. Do you think John McCain would be just an older version of George W. Bush-possibly worse if he is elected president? Or, do you think John McCain would make a good president? And, should John McCain's military service be a required standard for future candidates running for president? Why or why not-and be honest.

7. Do you really think that Iran is really all that much of a threat to America or Israel, or is this just another cover that the American government is using to validate the use of force on foreign nations in order to obtain what they want?

8. And, with the cost of high gas prices, job losses, and the morgage and corporate meltdowns in America-do you really think the American people have benefitted from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Do you really think we would benefit from a war with Iran-or just have more quagmire wars, and an increase in dead American soldiers? Do you think that Israel will eventually be destroyed regardless of how much support America gives Israel, or regardless of what Ameirca does? Be Honest.

**sglaine** · Moderator Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts votes: 1

Yup McCain and his flip-flops...Nothing new with him

**Rupchuk** · Moderator Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts votes: 4

1- I've already served for four years, and technically I'm obligated to serve again if called until 2012. After that my service obligation no longer exists.
2- As long as America is dependent on foreign oil and that oil is in Arab countries those countries will be a threat to American interests. I've already been to the Middle East (Kuwait), didn't want to go but didn't have any qualms about going. I'd be willing to die for America only on the condition that it is for a good reason. I don't want to die for an aggressive war. I'd much rather die defending liberty and to keep America safe.
3- No to all three. War can be patriotic though. If America were attacked, like it was on 9-11 then it would be patriotic to defend it.
4- That would be nice. If nothing else they shouldn't be able to shield their children from the draft.
5- McCain is old school, although he isn't as into the dirty tricks as Clinton is. Diplomacy should always be the first option and war should be the last resort when America is under a direct, proven threat of attack or has already been attacked.
6- I don't think McCain will be another Bush. He seems a lot more diplomatic and willing to work with the Dems. Military service shouldn't be a requirement to be president, but a service to the community and/or country should be.
7- See number 2.
8- No we didn't benefit from these wars, although Afghanistan isn't about benefits. We were attacked on 9/11 and we should bring the attackers to justice. Not only that but the cost of war in Afghanistan is a lot less than in Iraq. There have been fewer deaths and the price tag is lower too. Israel could take care of itself. All they really need from us is military hardware and we can sell that to them.