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Ron Paul: [The draft] should be called slavery, involuntary servitude. Howard Phillips: It violates the 13th amendment, which prohibits involuntary servitude. Ron Paul: Yeah, and the argument that I've always resented the most was, if you're 18 year old you owe it to your country. I've always wondered why the guy who's 58 and had a million bucks and hadn't served, why doesn't he owe more to this country, maybe he should be on the frontline. 18 year old didn't get anything yet, and he has to go and risk his life.

Ron Paul#22

LawMilitaryConstitutionEqualitySlavery

About this quote

What does it mean?
The draft is akin to slavery, violating the 13th Amendment, and unfairly burdens young men while wealthier older men avoid service.
In plain terms
Conscription is involuntary servitude, unfair to younger men.
What can you take from it?
Question compulsory military service as unconstitutional.

Where it applies

  • military policy debates
  • legal challenges
  • public opinion polls

Putting it to work

  • support draft reform
  • advocate for volunteer forces

Questions to consider

  • Is compulsory service compatible with liberty?
  • How should societies share defense burdens?

Another view

Proponents argue a draft ensures national defense readiness.

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