Universal instruction on severing renal arteries with bayonets will bring social justice.

[HereSince1628]

I'm sorry but I think that's not even close to how we want to go about making progress.

We didn't get into this war because there wasn't a draft, and we wouldn't have been prevented from it if there had been. Do you really think universal conscription would have prevented the psycho-traumatized Congress from giving W a green light?? You've got to be kidding me. It may well have perhaps probably would have given the NeoCrazies sufficient forces to simultaneously invade Iraq, Iran, and Syria.

Does anyone really think having all 18 year olds take induction exams is going to help ill-educated and disadvantaged youths get the better assignments and training that will keep them out of service on the line with combat arms?

Do we really think a trillion dollars to run universal conscription is better than directly addressing the underlying social inequites that perpetuate inadequate education, poverty and hopelessness?

[Beam Me Up]

1. Of course this draft will put an end to war!!

"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

The above is from Gustave Gilbert's book Nuremberg Diary

Edit: emphasis, attribute