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In the run up to WW2, the US government made a very big deal of socially incentivizing military enlistment. The GI Bill offered education and housing benefits. Military work was competitive with the private sector and you had lots of off-ramps into the civilian side of the government. Military families enjoyed local prestige, particularly in the officer's corps, so it was a good stepping stone up the socio-economic ladder. And the military operated as a strong network for business advancement, both as a military contractor and as a civilian with a tight-knit social circle of ex-military friends and neighbors.

All of that has been dissolving since the Vietnam Era. Soldiering isn't considered a particularly noble profession. The pay is shit. The benefits have been cut back enormously. Enlisted pay is worse than service sector work and military families often live in poverty. There's no real path to career advancement and enormous liabilities that come with 5+ years working around dangerous military equipment.

40 years ago, you could make a litany of arguments for why military service was personally advantageous. Today? The only reason to join is because you've got a shot at some brass, and even then you'd be way better off angling for a high paying civilian role.

Not the ultra patriots, they think other people's kids are dieing to keep us safe from ... Communism? Socialism? Something like that?

Wars are getting more common and militaries are building up. There’s just one thing missing.

Yeah I don't think so. Or at least, the wealthy and powerful don't give a shit what we think

They won't stop then they're out, they'll just draft people who didn't sign up for this shit and force them to fight to the death.

As an American, I'm all for forced conscription.

Only because it forces people who otherwise try to be "not political, teehee" and pretend our corrupt, captured, failing nation is fine to wake the fuck up and revolt.

For the record, in normal times, I think there should be mandatory national service for a year, but I don't agree a year of service has to be or even should be military. There should be a strong peace core that builds housing for the homeless, provides community services, etc.

I think it would give the US what it most needs and lacks almost entirely: empathy. Especially for our worst off, most suffering citizens.

Conscription? You'll need more than that. You'd have to press-gang those kids into service, and then hope they don't revolt.

Other alternatives: 1) Becoming the enemy - telling them their families' lives are forfeit if they don't pass muster. 2) Some really top-notch propaganda.

I can think of at least one country that would do both of these, but would deny the first one.

When I was a kid, I was invited to a middle school dance by a girl in my neighborhood. I wasn't into her, but I said yes to be nice. Took her to get food, then to the dance. It was at her school, so I didn't know ANYONE there. Got there, asked her to dance, and in her exuberance, she accidentally bumped behinds with another girl dancing nearby. Well, you would've thought that my date had snatched her weave and spat in her face with how this girl reacted. She started yelling, pushing my date, and eventually called over a group of guys to beat me up. Suddenly I'm surrounded by 5 guys all at least a head taller than me. I'm still proud of my response.

I started talking to the lead guy, who was towering over me, told him we were dancing, that my date accidentally bumped his date. I said "I'm not mad, you're not mad, we've never even seen each other before. These two women we're with? THEY'RE the ones who are mad. They want somebody to fight, so let THEM do it! I don't give a shit about any of this!"

He looked at me, looked at his girl (who was now much quieter), nodded his head, and walked off.

I react similarly to wars my country's government starts. "Oh, you guys are big mad and want somebody to fight them? Ok, here's a weapon, have at it!"

What if war was declared and nobody showed?

Phil Ochs was absolutely amazing and had such a beautiful voice. It's a shame he's not more well-known.

Despite an unfortunate line about supporting Mao, "I'm Going to Say it Now" is still a terrific song about student protest. I wonder if someone could come up with a better line?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuX1Y1hn6c4

You say that like they're trying to hide it, but it's literally the stated purpose of the Selective Service registration. Nothing surreptitious about it.

Yes. That's how it's been since we left Vietnam. Good job. You cracked the case.

If Trump gets in power, he might just blow up a few churches and have those operatives leave leaflets with "us gays did it!", printed in rainbow colours. The most effective enemy is one that you can say is within the motherland, because you can blame them for everything, including mistakes made within your own political party.

I wish this statement was wholly a bad-taste joke that would never, ever happen.

It's the same thing it has been for decades. You decide.

Selective Service (draft registration) was always mandatory; now it's just automatic instead of having to fill out paperwork when you turn 18.

Oh neat, wonder what 3rd world country they plan on liberating. Hopefully their own.