A lot of politicians are talking about the military draft these days. Some want the draft to help stop the war in Iraq and prevent future conflicts by creating greater dissension. Rep. Charley Rangel comes to mind. Others want the draft to provide additional manpower to fight the war in Iraq, Afghanistan and wherever notably Sen. Chuck Hagel of Nebraska.

Neither President Bush nor Senator Kerry has dared to utter the dreaded D-word. But presidential candidate Ralph Nader recently charged that regardless of the winner, there may well be a draft coming after the election. Kerry is pushing an enlarged national service program. It would be voluntary, but Kerry certainly isn’t wed to voluntary. He already supports mandatory community service to graduate from high school.

I’m against the draft. Here’s why: First, the armed services are against the draft. Why? Well, instead of worrying about sharing every sacrifice equally as if that were even possible the generals care about having the best possible fighting force. They want young soldiers who are motivated, not conscripted. Second, can you say “boondoggle”? Any draft program, especially if universal, will involve paying, feeding, clothing, training and managing millions of young people. That’s not cheap.

But I oppose the draft primarily because it suggests our young people are pawns of the politicians. As Ronald Reagan once said, “The draft destroys the very values our society is committed to defending.”

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.