There are a lot of pacifists out there who are pacifists because they respect human life, or are highly religious. These people would never join the military, not the police (at least in the USA, that's for sure), and would be disturbed at helping the military in any way (maintaining military buildings, etc). If 'service' is required to vote, these people would still be left in the lurch. A concientious objector potentially isn't willing to help the military do it's job, any more than serve in the military itself.
To require military service, or even civil service defeats the purpose of a free society. It also puts the focus of government ON the military. Corporations would have no power (not that I think their current level of influence is acceptable either), nor would the average citizen who simply does not support the actions of the country, nor supports the concept of killing another in any way.
As far as I can tell, we have never actually had a true pacifist as a president. Thus, as a pacifist, I cannot condone the majority of actions of the country. Why should I serve a country I disagree with, just to have a voice? With no voice, such as my own, the military would be the focus quickly, and often, when the military gets involved, things get destroyed and people killed.
While I do agree that the apathy of the majority of voting age people in this country is absolutely pathetic, and that perhaps making some requirement to earn the right to vote is a potential solution to this...I don't think military service is the answer.
I personally am in moral quandry about the existance of the military. I recognize that there are significant threats to the USA that we -need- a military for, yet I am completely opposed to anybody killing another person, for any reason. I dislike the current trend the USA has been taking in terms of aggression. I fear what the USA is becoming/has become. I guess I am about as unpatriotic as they come in the current circumstances, however, I feel that the USA still has potential to be what it really was created to be. A completely free society. Free meaning peaceful, because without peace, you aren't free. You are controlled by fear. And I'm not talking about tyrrany of the majority either. A democracy does turn into that sometimes, and has with the USA, no doubt. However, it doesn't have to.
Don't get me wrong. I completely respect someone, such as yourself, who is willing to lay down their life for the defense of this country. I recognize the present need for a military, though it makes me sad that it has to exist. I personally am morally strongly opposed to killing anyone. And ironically, I would lay down my life for that purpose, if I knew it would have an impact and cause people to wage peace, instead of war. I just hope that I live to see the day when peace is talked about more than war. When we discuss disbanding the military, because it is no longer necessary. When people are no longer interested in murdering another, in the name of -anything-. |
