[Huck]

The Swiss have compulsory military service, as we had here in Union long ago. I've been thinking lately that having a standing, professional army is a sort of self-defense welfare state, and impacts on the PEOPLE's ability and willingness to arm and defend themselves the same way subsistance welfare programs impact the formation of the family.

In other words, the more the gubmint takes care of something for you, the less you take care of it yourself. Ergo we have many Americans who believe guns are for the professional army and the professional police.

In our country, which is a consolidated national government, I worry about compulsory military service. If we were a confederacy, as Switzerland is and as we once were, I would think it a good and proper idea, and would think that it would benefit the PEOPLE as a whole. With our all-powerful national government, I am not so sure.

[Jacquerie]

For Huck,

If we were a confederacy, as Switzerland is and as we once were

I cannot believe how you get away with such nonsense at this forum. In 1848 the Swiss instituted a two house parliament, an executive and judiciary. They dumped the confederation because, as our framers knew seventy years earlier, it is a precarious form of government.

Your precious Swiss also allowed Jews in 1848 to own property anywhere in the country. How noble.

[OneWingedShark]

The Constitution has something to say about a standing army, and IIRC it technically can’t be active for more than 2-years w/o Congressional approval.