If we're going to talk mandatory conscription, Israel is a bad example to compare the US to. Israel is surrounded by enemies and exchanges fire with it's neighbors routinely. It's a bit of a different circumstance than we have here.

 

Individualism, entrepenurial spirit and capitalism do not require the absence of social and personal responsibility, much less the complete dismissal of culpability. - How often do you hear, "I'm sorry, but it happened because X happened" or "It's not my fault because Y did so-and-so"?

Children are being taught they deserve to have the BMW, clothes by Tommy and the large screen TV. - There are exceptions, but in general they are not taught the value of a dollar, much less the value of a hard day's work. Instead they are consistantly told it's not their fault they screwed up, but instead it is society's error and they are owed an apology and restitution.

Rarely do you find people who consider, much less are held to, the consequenses of their (in)actions.

- L

 

I have a problem with mandatory service, the US Constitution also has a problem with it.

Amendment XIII
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

I would rather be defended by mercenaries then by slaves.