If there was a war and conscription was mandatory would you go?

[visitingagain]

Do people think the government has the right to conscript people? Should people who won't comply get punished?

And WW2 only maintained freedoms for some anyway. Didn't do much for Eastern Europe - just changed dictator.

I actually think a kind of compulsory social “National Service” for all young people at 18, where you spent time working for the benefit of society, rather than toting a high powered assault rifle, so perhaps worked in schools, hospitals or local councils. or worked with older people, on various placements for a year or two for a basic salary, would really be transformative for society, teaching empathy, renewing the social contract, helping people understand the importance of community etc. And it would give people a real sense of national identity

The people who want this are always the ones too old to do it.

What about making well off early retirees do it instead?

@iklboo

I doubt most of those conscripted during WW1&2 wanted to do it,

On the contrary - most saw it as their duty. Lads lied about their age to join up, there were queues at the conscription centres. It was a huge stigma not to join up.

Well fortunately we've moved on since then. Stupid middle aged women who didn't need to fight, calling young men cowards. Completely disgusting.

Hell, they'd have to be desperate for cannon fodder to call me up!

@ChurchofLatterDayPaints

In answer to OP's question no I would not join up so it'd be field punishment, bread and water for me.

Fight for King Charles and country?? fuck off.

In answer to OP's question no I would not join up so it'd be field punishment, bread and water for me.

Or a bullet!

Apologies if this has been posted before but whenever i hear supporting conscription, i think of this poem, Kiplin was a keen supporter of thios until his son was killed...
A Dead Statesman
I could not dig: I dared not to rob:
Therefore I lied to please the mob.
Now all my lies are proved untrue
And I must face the men I slew.
What tale shall serve me here among
Mine angry and defrauded young?