Leaders and war in the days of old (Representatives, Congress, soldiers)

[CoastalMaineiac]

The kings of the ancient peoples often led the people into battle and fought along-side the very people whom they ruled. They did not have the luxury of cowering in a high-tech bunker far-removed from the dangers faced by the soldiers in the army. No! They were on the battlefield, their lives in as much danger as the men they were leading.

I say, we ought to go back to that. When a war is declared, let every legislator who votes in favor of it be the first ones sent into battle. Or if they be too old, their children. If they truly believe the cause to be noble, then they should have no problem whatsoever bearing arms in support of it, or perhaps there would be some causes deemed not quite as noble as once thought if the "important" people had to put their own necks on the line.

Let's send congress to the front lines in all future wars. Worst-case scenario would be a lot of dead politicians, and would that really be all that bad?

[Dumbdowndemocrats]

So you want US to endure a Marcus Licinius Crassus moment ?

Y-i-k-e-s

I would rather weed out the dead wood thru elections and leave the fighting to the pro's.

[irishvanguard]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaineiac

I say, we ought to go back to that. When a war is declared, let every legislator who votes in favor of it be the first ones sent into battle.

Let's send congress to the front lines in all future wars. Worst-case scenario would be a lot of dead politicians, and would that really be all that bad?

I think term limits would be the simpler solution to both the "cloistered" problem as well as the war problem.

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by CoastalMaineiac

The kings of the ancient peoples often led the people into battle and fought along-side the very people whom they ruled. They did not have the luxury of cowering in a high-tech bunker far-removed from the dangers faced by the soldiers in the army. No! They were on the battlefield, their lives in as much danger as the men they were leading.

I say, we ought to go back to that. When a war is declared, let every legislator who votes in favor of it be the first ones sent into battle. Or if they be too old, their children. If they truly believe the cause to be noble, then they should have no problem whatsoever bearing arms in support of it, or perhaps there would be some causes deemed not quite as noble as once thought if the "important" people had to put their own necks on the line.

Let's send congress to the front lines in all future wars. Worst-case scenario would be a lot of dead politicians, and would that really be all that bad?

We found out during WWII that didn't work. So many members of Congress ran off to join the fight that they couldn't even get up a quorum to conduct the nation's business. Since the war could not be paid for without Congressionally approved appropriations, we would have lost the war in the first 6 months.

Officers went sent out to find them and force them to return to their elected duties.

[stillkit]

Originally Posted by irishvanguard

I think term limits would be the simpler solution to both the "cloistered" problem as well as the war problem.

Term limits. Bah! An ointment for the lazy, a cover for the fact that we don't have the guts or the inclination to become involved in politics. We want our elected representatives accountable and we want it now...we just don't want to be bothered by actually having to...you know...vote or something.