[The Old Hoosier]

that is the same argument the liberals make for community service.

What do you have against community service?

Listen, every able-bodied male enjoys the freedoms of our country, and every one of them should be ready to do what he has to to defend them. Sure, probably conscripts should do strictly stateside duty if possible, to free up the volunteer forces for work abroad. They're obviously going to be better.

While I have no intention of undertaking a military career, I'll go if asked, and those two years out of my life are nothing compared to living in fear of terrorists for the rest of my life.

Besides, don't you remember what Nathan Hale said?

[ThinkDifferent]

What do you have against community service?

Absolutely nothing. Nor do I have anything against military service; both are fine endeavors. However, I firmly oppose forcing citizens to participate in either at gunpoint; that is the very definition of involuntary servitude.

[Careful]

Of course it is better to fight than to live in fear. I, too, would go if asked. Unfortunately, conscription is not 'asking', it is 'telling'. No arguments, no reasoning, no "look, with my computer security skills I am much more valuable to the war effort if I stay here and work", no nothing. Here is your gun, go fight (I am simplifying). The point is, the Consitution does not give the government the power to force an individual to fight. Raise an army? Yes. How? By paying people to become soldiers. Need to raise taxes to do that? Fine, that is the governments job. Can't find enough soldiers at the price you want to pay? Pay more. Can't find soldiers at any price? Maybe you should consider why you are fighting such an unpopular war. The people of this country are free, and that means being free to opt out of fighting and charity work.