Purpose:
To illustrate the problems and perhaps future endeavors of the feminist movement in the United States. I will also explain why women should not participate in a representative government due to their lack of military responsibility in keeping the United States of America a free country.
Quote:
It is the soldier, not the reporter,
Who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier,
Who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.
- Father Denis Edward O'Brien USMC
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The United States of America was founded under the ideals that we will fight for our freedom. We have a paid military that receives compensation in various forms. The representative military carries out the will of all US citizens. In extreme times it is necessary to increase the size of the military by drafting citizens.
It's really quite simple- if we don't wage war on the evils of the world, we will lose our freedom. Therefore, at times we must increase the size of our standing army.
Currently the Selective Service System of the government only drafts men. The Department of Defense has said claimed that because of current policies to not allow women on the front combat lines, there is little in drafting them. Why aren't women attempting to obtain the right to register for the draft?
The feminist movement occurred very recently in our history, approximately 1971. During times in US history women were not allowed to own land, vote or hold public office. They fought hard for what they have achieved. Yet, why haven't they even attempted to argue for their ability to fulfill their military responsibility?
Ms. Perez has suggested that feminists haven't fought for more roles in military because feminists have historically been known to support peace. Unfortunately, the feminist all to easily forget that it's America's soldiers and war who have given them the rights they enjoy today.
The United States has a history of protecting those who are helpless or need assistance. It's the reason we helped Kuwait after being invaded by Iraq during the first Gulf War, or the reason we provide government funded care for people who are unable to care for themselves. Handicapped and most deficient people are required to register for the draft, but almost never serve. Would a woman argue that she is helpless and that's why she would qualify for the special privilege of not being drafted?
There is no reasonable reason for women to not register for a military draft. Therefore, you come to the following pop-culture phrase, “women like to have their cake and eat it too.” They want the positive benefits of a free society but none of the negatives, they'll leave that for the men.
I find it difficult to justify why women should have the right to vote or hold office, without accepting the military responsibility that comes with their freedom. I believe any person who joins the military should be commended, particularly women; including allowing those women the right to hold office or vote. They have accepted their military responsibility and should be allowed to participate in our representative government. Men, even if they have never served in the military accept their military responsibility by registering for the draft. Any man who does not register for the draft should not be allowed to participate in government.
In conclusion, with the liberties of becoming a United States citizen so does the responsibility. As a US citizen we have the responsibility to protect ourselves and the helpless. It's time for women to accept their military responsibility or lose their right to participate in government and accept that they are among the helpless.
Please note:
I don't personally believe what I just wrote. I don't think women should be forced into the serving the military, I also don't think they should lose their ability to participate in the government. My male instincts tell me women should not be forced into war, a “feeling from the heart” you could say. However, when you logicality evaluate the current circumstances, it makes me second-guess my instinct.