Draft would curb war costs

The states and federal government are out of cash. Yet I don’t like the ideas for lowering the debt such as canceling kindergarten and ending the support of NPR and PBS.

I have read that early school years teach children self-control which determines to a large part whether they will get good jobs and be healthy as adults or end up sick and in jail.

So how will we save money and support these good causes? What about the two wars we are fighting in the Middle East that cost us trillions? Soldiers are wearing from over 60 to 127 pounds of gear while fighting and running foot patrols in the desert. They are suffering terribly from arthritis and musculoskeletal injuries at age 25 and given opiates to stop the pain. Many soldiers come from the lower classes and fight because jobs are scarce. Others are inspired by patriotism, but is it really worth the cost in lives, sanity and disability?

I propose we reinstate the draft and offer few exemptions. When the politicians’ children and upper classes are forced to fight, you’d better believe there will be a major look at how necessary these wars really are.

Jeanie Donaldson

Coeur d’Alene