Do you think if the draft were reenacted, politicians would be less enthusiastic about military strikes, since it might mean their own children would be actively involved in any military conflicts?

Nope.
Did not stop vietnam, did it?

Do you honestly think that they wouldn’t use their influence to find some way to keep their kids out?

Before you answer that, look at history, especially Vietnam.

They’d be less enthusiastic,but not for that reason. They’d be less enthusiastic because they have to answer to voters.

Vietnam had the support of the voting population up until about 1967. That’s why 1968 was such a confounding political mess.

No, because politicians, living up to their scummy natures, would devise ways for their own kids to avoid the draft.

I think that it would make them think twice. Politicians paid a price for Vietnam because everyone knew someone who was effected.
Now, our wars are fought by the poorest for the most part. We also outsource a lot of our war to Halliburton contractors.
The people don’t rise up until they feel the pain.

Let us also not forget the drones that can be steered from a safe distance.
War is being turned into a videogame for the aggressors, and the risk is being minimised, as is the deterrence against starting a war.

A few might allow their children to fight, but wouldn’t most find a way to keep their children safe?

Seems like we’d be creating a problem rather than solving one. Currently we have enough volunteers to meet our quotas. Hell, we’re even a little choosy about who we take. So would we then not allow volunteers so that we could force those that didn’t want to go? Or maybe we could say that only politicians kids would be drafted.

The whole issue of a draft is designed to make some liberal point rather than actually accomplish anything. We’re trying to cut costs across the board, including the military, why would we force a process that would cost more and create more dissent? We have plenty of veterans in politics and I don’t believe the volunteer rate for thier children, is any different than the general population. Wouldn’t we be better served by trying to solve problems than creating them?

Just about any Rep or Senator that cast a vote in favor of involuntary conscription would be gone in the next election. They may be stupid, but they are not that stupid.

We already have a draft of sorts. Many young people find themselves with little or no prospect of education or employment other than the military.

Good answers above, I’d also like to add that with the draft, the mandate would need to be enforced, and the crime of “draft dodging” would once again be created.

That’s more tax dollars, bureaucracy, regulatory work, clogged courts, jail crowding and hassles being generated, aside from everything else that Draft reinstatement causes.

Did George W. Bush get drafted and sent to Vietnam, or did he get an officer’s assignment in the Texas Air National Guard, which meant he would NEVER be deployed in harm’s way? Did Cheney get 5 deferments? Did Rumsfeld serve or get deferred? How about Romney. He was a campus cheerleader for the Vietnam war, but got deferments to be a “missionary” in France, of all woebegotten places.

No.

Politicians, if they want, can get deferments and National Guard duty for their children.

No, in fact I think we would be involved in more conflicts. I can’t believe many think otherwise.

Two words. Fortunate Son.

no – their privileged little turd children would be able to defer.

oh shit. i just realized i posted the wrong link. here fortunate son.

@Paradox25 I disagree with that. While politicians will always be well positioned and powerful enough to keep their own kids safely at home, they need votes to keep that power they so greatly lust for. And voters are pretty tired now of stupid, needless wars we have no plan to win, and no exit strategy that doesn’t stink like rotten fish.

@ETpro I’m not sure why you’re disagreeing with me when your post above concerning polticians avoiding the draft actually supported the point of my original post.

@Paradox25 This is subtle. I agree that politicians are positioned to make war without consequences to their own families. But after all the woebegotten misadventures the Neocons have gotten us into over the past 30 years, with abysmal failures for each, trillions spent, many thousands dead and who knows how many left forever scarred by traumatic brain injuries, PTSD or loss of limbs; the public’s tolerance for the old BomIran song is GONE. And that will get in the way of vital reelection plans for those that persist in warmongering.

@ETpro Talking about music related to the OP, I think you’re right about the Bomb-Iran song. Sam Stone, sadly, is as poignant today is it ever was when it was written during the Vietnam Era. What we really need, though, is an updated version of this classic by Country Joe & the Fish.

@Yetanotheruser Amen to that.

@Yetanotheruser

What we really need, though, is an updated version of this classic by Country Joe & the Fish.

Before I click on the link, I’m going to guess that it goes to the “Fixin’ To Die Rag”.

Oh well, right song even though I left out the “I Feel Like I’m” part. ;-p

@Brian1946 I bet it wasn’t much of a guess. There were a lot more protest songs about Vietnam than any war or action since.