Here's an idea for Congress' war hawks

Many figures in Congress are pushing for the United States to send armies to the Middle East to fight ISIS and other "enemies." They also want the U. S. to bomb Iran rather than to ratify the treaty to control that nation's nuclear capability. War seems to be their answer to every world problem.

I want there to be a rule. Before our nation sends "boots on the ground" to the Middle East or anywhere else in the world, no member of Congress can vote for such action until he/she makes sure their children are enlisted in the military and obligated to join these active forces.

I believe that the "all volunteer" army was just a ploy to keep the children of the rich and well-connected out of the military, if deferments failed them.

"Join the army and see the world" was a former campaign mantra. Now the military is seen as a job of last resort and an opportunity to pay for college in a shaky economy with staggering education costs.

Who is most likely to "join up" under those conditions? Obviously, it's children of the un-wealthy.

Reservists are recruited with ads showing how they can help their neighbors while earning money for college. Tell that to the reservists who ended up in Afghanistan for three or more deployments.

It's easy for a financially secure members of Congress to vote to send other people's children into battle while their own kids are safely ensconced in cushy internships or at a prestige university.

War hawks should have their own "skin in the game" before they put other people's kids in danger.

Karen Wagner

Rolling Meadows