The four acceptable conditions for war

President Donald Trump is down in the polls, the Russiagate investigation is closing in on him, and he desperately wants a "win," so he's beating the drums of war with North Korea.

I've decided to support Trump's march to war on four conditions:

1. The United States is actually physically attacked - words don't count, and claims of an "imminent threat" don't count. We've been down that road before in the last decade with the lies that sent us into Iraq, and how'd that work out? Sticks and stones, folks.

2. We bring back conscription, with no exceptions for "college deferment" or other loopholes designed to keep rich, white kids from being drafted. Make shared sacrifice truly mean something, and perhaps the wealthy business class will think twice before being so willing to send poor kids off to die on a military adventure.

3. Every single one of Trump's family members who is of age to be drafted - including Don Jr. and Ivanka, etc. - are among the first to be sent to fight on the front lines. Ditto for every congressman and Senator's kids. And they have to fight until they die or the war ends. That might give Trump and Congress some incentive to conclude the war in a timely manner.

4. We raise taxes on the rich back to World War II levels instead of cutting their taxes while simultaneously cutting away your health care and Social Security due to "lack of funds." Again, make shared sacrifice truly mean something: take the rich people's kids and their money for the war that Trump wants so badly.

Until such a time as these conditions are met, I will oppose this unhinged, chickenhawk, wannabe's warmongering with every fiber of my being.

Matthew Lowry

Mundelein