April 6, 2007
by Robert T. Melaccio Sr.

These articles were  first submitted for publication  Friday, August 18, 2006. It was followed by a second article. The second article released as a follow up was  Monday, September 25, 2006. Both are similar but address the concerns we are experiencing today. Keep in mind these were written before the last election. That has since passed and everything we did not hear about or was denied is now openly being discussed.

In the interests of space I have edited some aspects. However, these can be read in full on this web site.

Is the Return of the Draft Just Around the Corner?

Well we are all very aware of the current world situation. Iraq, Israel, Korea, Iran and other hot spots are gaining in the front pages around the world each day. It is certainly evident we are the targets of those who wish our destruction and unfortunately in my opinion our so-called allies, except for a few, have proven they do not have the stomach to join with us. [Even Saudi Arabia has recently condemned us. Talk about hitting the hand that feeds them. If we look at the shortage of troops in Iraq, which is talked about daily, the shortage of equipment for the standing army and the reserves and recruitment activities we see we are woefully short in all aspects. That is not my opinion but that of many military experts. It is however, a fact we all wish to ignore. Rhetorically, has it reached the point it can no longer be placed under the rug?

Certainly an election [was at the time of this article] is right around the corner and not the time for any politician to even think about it. Yet, in my opinion we average Americans better start to consider the overall picture besides these military shortages. Corporate layoffs, off shore farming out of jobs, poor wages, the moving of manufacturing to other countries, the use of illegal workers and a stressful economic environment for average Americans means there may need to get people off the street, employed and industry kicked up again?

What better way to do that then the military and the Military Industrial Complex?
 
In my opinion I suspect we certainly are not going to see some pie in the sky corporate move in any of the critical sectors that will place people back in good paying jobs here in the U.S.A.! You hear about the low unemployment statistics but it doesn't count that at many of the jobs people cannot make a living wage, have no benefits and people have to work multiple jobs to survive. It doesn't consider those who are not even in their statistics. They come on T.V. each evening and can't seem to understand why people are upset with the economy when it is, in their words, booming. Booming we ask, but for who? Yes, they won't say it or speak it but we average Americans are hurting and those who have do not realize the magnitude of the hurt to the average person. How come the election blips all say that from these very same politicians? How can it be good on one side but they are going to make significant changes that need to be made on the other once they are elected?

Now I prefer to be wrong but people are growing tired of sending our loved ones off to never ending wars with no solutions and no desire to evidently win?  We are tired of allies who can't commit to assist while we carry the ball all the time. In any successful team environment the bench plays an important role. The sad fact is we have no bench! Rhetorically, why is this so hard for those in leadership to evidently grasp?

Now no one disputes we are at war and that people want to destroy us. All one has to do is look at the dead, dying and wounded. No one disputes we need security and we need to be strong but we do dispute the degradation of the average Americans capabilities, which in many an average persons opinion, plays significantly into the degradation of the nations ability to support and carry the war effectively. Just who do these people ask when they ask the question `"how are you doing economically"? If any average American can say great, then evidently there are just a few of us that fit into the struggling mode and why all the worry?

So, when government talks about the economy I suspect they never look at the average and poor, they look at numbers. Numbers mean nothing about real hardships just profits.
 
Now of course our leaders will tell you how strong we are in military technology and that is probably correct? But, and that is a big but, it seems we just might not have enough, as the military says," Boots on the ground"! If this is true then there need to be an increase in boots and I'm not talking quota's doing the job. [Rhetorically one might ask, have committed all our resources to this recent Bagdad operation?

Did not Israel just find this out the hard way? [That war had just wound down] There is no "clean war". So they said in the movie "Patton" and as stated by general Patton, the idea- if I may paraphrase is "to kill the other poor _ _ _ before he kills you"! If they won't talk peace you have no alternative but to defend. I for one prefer all avenues of talk be explored first with all and then if it goes nowhere give them the options and be ready to use them.

So along with all the other major issues, in my opinion this one will fester quietly until we have one or two major crisis situations and then all of a sudden we will hear we have come to the realization we need to increase our military ground forces. I think we are about six to nine months away from that dialogue. [Well here we are in march and I must admit I was a few months off]!

I certainly hope I am wrong, yet as I say, when one looks at the entire picture you get the impression that the train is rolling. I can be wrong if peace can be worked out but as someone recently stated to me, have we not already tried all the words? Yes, true but have we with all? [Are not the democrats in Syria as this is being printed?]

If we haven't done everything we need to do to protect America, as many are saying, I envision no alternative given all factors. Like I said I hope I am wrong and they know better then we.

(Article Continues Below)

Is the Draft Around the Corner? - Part Two

In August I wrote an article about the possibility of the draft resuming. At that time I believe I was the only one or perhaps a few who raised this question. Now it seems we are hearing more about it as time moves on.

This is a serious situation that has major impacts on this nation. Along with an aging population, illegal workers by the millions, a shortage of boots on the ground here and overseas we now start to see more clearly why we need more people.

So like Japan the issue of the elderly, military and society in general become more into focus. If I might digress a bit, in my opinion even Social Security becomes a golden opportunity for the private sector. It is an opportunity in my opinion for those who profess free market ideology as the answer  to get their hands on more of our money for their adventures.

It does not impact those who have money because Social security is not a major factor in their retirement plans. It is a nice to have but they will most likely not file or payback a considerable amount of what they earn with it.

As for illegal workers we already know the military is a route to citizenship and a fast path track for workers. Also, if we have a younger group who has grown up in the good life it just may be that they are not so readily agreeable to going off to war or giving up the good life? Then just who is going to fill the military ranks?

 Now neither I, nor do I believe other Americans, have a problem with illegal workers earning their citizenship via this method. They would have certainly earned that opportunity in their service to the nation, perhaps even more so then some who have done nothing but be born here. However, they should not be rewarded by simply by breaking the law and hiding here for a number of years.

Also having more foreign workers, who make a lot of babies, mean we have a readily available income source to support us in our old age and over time. [Read 2010 an American Paradigm] Certainly we have an increased tax base for the future. Also in my opinion we will have an increased base for our financiers to reap greater profits as these people move up in economic power.

Yes, in my opinion it all fits nicely together into the bigger picture. Here are some considerations:
1- does illegal workers mean more tax dollars? Who cares if we don't give them back what they paid in?
2- does immigration means more tax money as well and more of a worker base?
3- will millions more illegal workers coming into the country mean more opportunities for the military?
4- will this increase in the military by foreigners be more like the Rome of old as to where their allegiance would lie?
5- does more foreign workers mean lower wages, fewer benefits, no pensions and no health benefits for all?
6- will more foreign workers mean our census would reflect differently as to age?

PS: Regardless of what you believe you will GET Amnesty, Comprehensive reform and a worker program!] Think not, then think again!

I suspect you can add your own list of benefits. However, that said, our military and system is just now starting to hurt severely. You do not have to even follow it closely to realize that. Is the push to become more technical in war more a reflection of the lowering manpower availability? Like the Rome of History  is there no will to go off to war when one can go to the beach and let someone else go?

The real bottom line is this; Americans really could care less if other nations do what they want as long as they leave us alone! That is the root of why Americans left those countries. They came here to be free, to live in peace and let them all do what they want. That is even why the illegal workers come here. They had enough of a government that professes one thing but does the complete opposite and cares little to nothing in my opinion about them.

So lets ask us these questions:

1- Do we have enough manpower in the military to meet all our current and future needs? Do you really believe we do?
2- Are we facing a severe equipment shortage in all the services? You don't think so?
3- Can we fight in multiple locations at one time? With Nukes maybe.
4- Are we ready should another natural disaster strike?
5- Do you really believe our allies will carry the ball? [Just read today's paper on Lebanon] That was then how about today and Saudia Arabia?
6- can we even defend our homeland should we be required to? Let me ask that again!
7- is the lack of rotation placing severe mental and physical duress on those who serve? Walter reed, four trips back to a war zone, four plus years?

These are but the tip of the iceberg of the many issues impacting all Americans today. The economic issues are all over the media. However, when it comes to the security and safety of this nation I truly believe all Americans are wondering these same questions. Isn't it amazing as many more ask these questions those in power start to respond. But do they address what Americans want?

In my opinion you do not have to agree with my opinions nor do I ask you to. I do ask you to really consider if what I am speaking to isn't in the papers, television and other sources every single day. We really need to sweep the floor of both houses clean and start all over. [We really didn't do that because there really isn't any choice. Read "How did we get here".

 I for one will do what I feel it is right on Election Day. If the same get in I know the same will follow and you can have all the blogs and writings in the world. "How did we get here" will have been proven.

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Robert T. Melaccio Sr. [send him email] is a freelance writer.

Copyright © 2006-7 Robert Melaccio