Aileen Mory—This I Believe 2008
In her essay “Sharing the Tragedy of War”, Aileen Mory writes about her belief that democracy is a “shared responsibility.” The author uses the Iraq war as an example, stating that pain, really is what is missing from her perspective on democracy in terms of the war. The author states that if there are men overseas fighting for her freedom, her life should be changed too. As a result of her belief, Mory believes that the draft should be reinstituted—not because she wants her children or husband drafted, but because the American people should be “fully engaged” in conflict when it happens. Also, the fear of losing people near to oneself will affect everyone, making decisions to go to war much more difficult and thought-out. Essentially, the author thinks that everyone should be involved in a tragedy, if the people make a collective choice leading them down that path.
I disagree with the author on both points of her argument—firstly, because American decisions and choices have never, in all of history, been a “collective decision” of the whole. If “collective decisions” were a part of the American lifestyle, nothing would ever get done, because too many conflicts and opinions would contradict each other. There is simply no way everyone can be affected equally, or at all, when it comes to external conflict.
While reinstatement of the draft would provide a personal aspect promoting more careful decisions regarding conflict, the conflicts themselves would become more and more violent/major. If an entire nation is drafted at all times, America appears on the defensive, and poses a bigger threat to all those outside her borders. If a minor conflict is brought to attention and troops are sent over, the trheat of America will provoke a much harsher reaction with the other’s knowledge that millions could be sent over at any time. While Mory’s viewpoint on democracy is very, very democratic, her argument and reasons are not solid enough to ever result in a change.
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