Service Should Be mandatory

There's a quiet move under way to abolish the Selective Service System, the government unit that keeps track of draft-age young men. Opponens of this relic of the military conscription that ended 26 years ago say it is time to shut down the agency that this year will spend $24.4 million registering 18-year-olds for possible call-up if the draft ever reinstates. Supporters counter that the money is a small price to pay to keep the nation prepared …

…being all it can be. Some of these problems are hopelessness, Hunger, school budgets, and an overall lack of service volunteers. Mandatory Service would make a dramatic difference in each one of these predicaments and would greatly strengthen the U.S. When congress returns from summer recess, it should put aside the bill that seeks to abolish the Selective Service Commission and consider the possibility of compulsory service in both the military and civilian sectors.