Lou Dobbs 04_27_08 Questions about Mercenaries.

Lou: Machiavelli's THE PRINCE, chapter 12 speaks of mercenary armies and his opinion of them. I too have concerns. The US seems to be employing mercenaries, and by M's argument we should be concerned that if capable they will run the government (if they are not patriotic) OR they will oppress the Iraqis beyond our intentions and if they are not capable they will cost a lot and flee in face of death. We have averred away from the draft because of a good argument for volunteer armies. However, if we had a draft, it would involve the sons and daughters of all social classes equally. I think right now we have a poor man's army. Drafts are unpopular, and I am too young to know how they affect the Vietnam war. There is a BBC episode of "Yes Minister" or "Yes Prime Minister," that speaks of the same public works project as both bringing employment and education in a list of pros and having prominent cons that I cannot call to mind because memory doesn't serve. I think it illustrates the arguments for and against a draft. I hope that this explains that while no one wants war, I believe in providing for the common defense, and in my current frame of mind I see the draft as a better solution than Blackwater and a mercenary army. Regards, Rob Johnson *****NOTE***** It occurred to me later that it was more Republican to write my representative than the media, so I wrote Congressman Sessions as my next entry will reflect.