Opinion - Two ideas to bring the troops home

The U.S. will send 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan. President Barack Obama made the announcement Tuesday.

Calling the country and its neighbor Pakistan the epicenter of Islamic extremism and a legitimate threat to the security of the United States, Obama outlined the “surge” of American troops to the area. The influx of troops will take place over the coming months and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2010. Then, according to the plan, troops will begin coming home in 2011, roughly ten years after they first arrived there.

For years, the conflict in Afghanistan has taken back seat to military efforts in Iraq. That emphasis has gradually shifted. Now, Afghanistan will become the primary focus.

The prolonged war will continue much as it has, in the sense that it demands little of average Americans. The forces being sent will be part of the nation’s professional army, and no sacrifices will be required at home.

Two ideas are gaining credence as a result of the nation’s prolonged conflicts in the Middle East.

One is a “war tax” which would help pay for the expense of the conflicts. Aside from creating revenues, such a tax would bring the conflicts into the consciousness (and wallets) of the country. Every American would have to sacrifice.

The other idea involves re-establishing the draft. This would bolster the over-extended, all-volunteer military. As important, the draft also would make decisions to go to war a truly national decision and would impact every American family.

Wars should not be prolonged. These conflicts have lasted longer than World War II. That may be because they are being pursued to affect as few Americans as possible.

These two ideas could affect how our wars are begun, how they are conducted and how long they last. It could be the first step in bringing the troops home, too.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher