While most Americans vote, participate in politics, and receive government benefits few actually earn that right by giving back to the United States.
Motorola said 04/24, 01:01 AM
A mandatory national service program should be introduced in the United States.
All Americans, who are physically and mentally fit, should be required to spend two years upon high school graduation in service to their country.
The program should be modeled after Germany where the participant has the choice of military service or an alternate service such as joining a first aid squad or volunteer fire department, among other options.
If one refuses to serve they should lose their right to vote, hold a government job, receive government benefits, or own land.
theandrewwest said 04/24, 02:35 AM
First of all, most actually earn that right by paying taxes. Government benefits, for example, are funded by tax payers. Is it not logical, then, that the tax payers receive the benefits they've paid for?
Secondly, an all-volunteer army is a more capable army. There are numerous accounts of conscripts deserting in the face of combat or otherwise disobeying orders. Do you want an army made up of reluctant soldiers?
Again, do we want certified first responders or fire brigades made up of people who are serving the community only to meet some federal requirement? It's not hard to imagine how the community might suffer.
How do you suppose this would be implemented in modern America? Conscription led to riots in 1863 and we already know the backlash following the attempt to reintroduce general conscription in 2003 (defeated by a vote of 2-402). No politician in their right mind would touch this, and for good reason too. The overwhelming majority of Americans would vehemently oppose it and if congress is truly representing the people, such a bill would, once again, be mercilessly shot down.
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Motorola - You can't HONESTLY think forced conscription is a good idea, do you?
Pablo the Great | 04/24/08
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Alright, there is something going on here. Six votes in five minutes and no new arguments?
theandrewwest | 04/24/08
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My vote went to you andrew. Since not only do I think you presented a (as donkeydude said) a flawless argument, but also to motorola, that idea is simply uncapable of being carried out in the country we have today. Look what happened when the government drafted young men to the vietnam war.
theyoungdem | 04/24/08
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Honestly, I'm don't mean to sound arrogant, but who is voting here? Motorola had one vote a few minutes ago. The debate has seen no activity since my response, and suddenly he's a vote behind me. Scratch that, now we're tied.
theandrewwest | 04/24/08
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Andrew, don't finish this debate. It won't count against you. I don't mean to encourage gamesmanship in general, but in a situation like this...
DonkeyDude | 04/25/08
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It's not motorola though, it has to be someone else if there is a voting fraud. I mean if you want I can prove to you I'm not some username that was made up by a guy who needs a life, I can show you my facebook, where my friends tagged pictures of me and etc, I saw motorola's facebook, he's real, I'm the one who told him about this sight
theyoungdem | 04/25/08
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TAW, while I think Moto had good intentions, you outlined a solid counterargument and definitely don't deserve to be down in this debate, let alone after just one argument each.
USA Pit Bull 63 | 04/26/08
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Really i don't know how that many people can vote for something this early and Pit is right about the quality of arguements
MorgMcA | 04/29/08
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In Fed, um, 35 I think, the voluntary nature of public service was touted as a right unto itself. The sockpuppet voting here is ridiculous. Maybe a few emails to the folks running the show?
finale | 09/26/08
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Please keep it clean. Bad words will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.
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Great and nicely drafted arguements, Andrew. One liberating aspect of this country is that we don't have such a policy that Motorola promotes. I'm very thankful for that.
sallyjames | 04/24/08
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