Regardless of your political party, no one can deny that our country is at war.
When I have a moment of time between all the things I occupy myself with, I occasionally call my grandfather and catch up. My grandfather, Capt. Alger, fought in World War II and spent many years afterward working at the Pentagon, doing what today we would call Homeland Security.
In discussing the last and final presidential debate between President Bush and Sen. Kerry, my grandfather made an enlightening comparison between his war and the one we find ourselves in today.
During World War II, regardless of your political bend, everyone made sacrifices to pay for the war. Rationing was the most common of tools to support and pay for the troops abroad. Some were even forced to serve via the draft. My grandfather told me that in every other war he has lived through, the society KNEW they were at war. When you woke up in the morning, the sense of urgency was felt by all. Everyone understood that the country was at war, and understood the implications of it.
Beyond the ultimate sacrifice of enlisting or getting drafted, everyone suffered oil rations. I know a reader out there is gasping at the thought of oil rations in today's society, but take a moment and seriously consider how you are helping your country. Someone has to pay for the war. Billions and trillions of dollars of debt is not the answer. We elected the current administration and are each personally responsible for our own country. This in the past has meant sacrifices through rationing and drafts, but nothing today has happened to instill the gravity of our current situation.
Americans take pride in that our government successfully holds elections and goes about its business during times of war. We can take solace in knowing the transition of power will cause little more than a hiccup compared to many other countries in the world. Yet has this solace turned into something worse? Has going about our everyday business resulted in a deadly lethargic crawl through what we call our lives?
Why is it that a general sense of apathy has settled upon us all? People complain about a few inconveniences at airport security and high gas prices, all the while forgetting our country is at WAR!
They argue over petty differences in political parties, all the while forgetting our country is at WAR!
They complain of high oil prices and call for more tax cuts, all the while our country is at WAR!
The seriousness of this situation has not settled in for most. Sure, President Bush said that he would never allow a draft under his watch, but no one can say such a thing with absolute authority during wartime.
With recent legislation discreetly being passed cutting out loopholes for college students to dodge the draft and new agreements with Canada to tighten up the border to stop dodgers, the reality is here. There is a real possibility that our country will be forced to enact a draft to support the armed forces.
This is not a political move. This is a harsh reality that accompanies any war. It has nothing to do with President Bush, other than the fact that he made the final call to initiate the current war against Iraq.
So I must ask why we don't turn to time-tested tools today. Although I may not agree with the war, I wonder why my country must go bankrupt while I enjoy my car, college tax credit and live my life as if nothing were happening abroad. Sure, occasionally when I hear of an old friend who was sent to Iraq, reality hits me like a load of bricks. Nevertheless, give me a few hours and I'll be back to my regular routine of distractions.
I hope this humble cry falls upon open minds. Do you feel like this country is taking the responsibility of war seriously? Do you feel that as a citizen of this great nation you have taken your responsibilities seriously?
Forget about the particularities of your political party and your temporary enemies during election time.
Forget the polarization of ideologies and disagreements.
Ask yourself this: Why is this war so different than wars past? Why don't I feel like I have a personal stake in the actions and affairs of my country? And most importantly, how can I fix it?
Jordanna Chord is a junior at Gonzaga
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