War is the answer, but what is the question?

There is are discussions going on here, in our forum, and elsewhere in the blogosphere concerning 'the draft' or national service.

Let me recommend "Starship Troopers" by Heinlein, written in the late 50's. A slightly warped view of the book is here.

Heinlein's Terran Federation is a limited democracy with aspects of a meritocracy based on willingness to sacrifice in the common interest. Suffrage belongs only to those willing to serve their society by two years of volunteer Federal Service.

I must admit that I find the idea appealing, however, there is the real world to contend with. "The Draft" has so much baggage attached that it has become a political football more than a practical approach.

There is one quite narrow reason to even consider 'the draft' as a tool. That would be a Declaration of War.

We could begin by making some changes to the existing Selective Service System. Simply make it a genuine pre-screening process. As it stands it is another useless government bureaucracy.