drafted for war, but not for democracy

the absurd priorities of american masculinity.

In an eyebrow-raising display of legislative priorities this week, the House passed a beefy defense bill that includes a provision to automatically register young men between the ages of 18 and 26 for the Selective Service. Yes, you heard that right. Our government is all in for making sure young men are ready to go to war but routinely gives the cold shoulder to laws that would automatically register people to vote. Because, you know, why make democracy easier when you can prep for combat?

Broken Masculinity and Misplaced Priorities

Our society’s definition of masculinity is as broken as a piñata after an 8-year-old’s birthday party. We’re stuck on this outdated idea that being a man means being strong, silent, and ready to fight. So, when the government swoops in with automatic draft registration, it’s reinforcing this narrative that a man’s value lies in his ability to be a soldier, not a voter. Because, apparently, war is way more important than democracy. Go figure.

Dr. Vivek Murthy, our insightful U.S. Surgeon General, has been waving the red flag about a crisis among men for years. Mental health issues, loneliness, and societal disconnection are rampant. And what does our government do? It prioritizes getting young men on a list to go to war instead of making sure they can easily participate in the democracy that decides if we go to war in the first place. Infuriating, right?

The Ridiculous Registration Disparity

Let’s talk about this automatic registration nonsense. Voting is a basic democratic right—scratch that—a basic human right. It’s how we, the people, have a say in our government. Yet, Congress can’t seem to get behind making it easier for us to vote, but has time to make sure that men are prepped for battle. This sends a pretty clear message about what they think is important. Spoiler: it’s not our voices.

When we prioritize automatic draft registration over voter registration, we’re essentially saying that a man’s potential as a soldier is more valuable than his role as a voter. Our legislative actions are screaming that we value conflict over civic engagement. And that’s just plain messed up.

It's also profoundly troubling that Black men, who have historically faced relentless efforts to strip away their ability to vote, would now be automatically be registered into the military. For centuries, systemic barriers have been erected to disenfranchise Black men, denying them a fundamental voice in the democratic process. Yet, paradoxically, they are expected to serve and possibly sacrifice their lives for a country that continues to undermine their civic participation. This stark contradiction highlights a deeply flawed prioritization, where the rights to vote and be heard are suppressed, while obligations to serve are imposed without question.

A New Approach to Masculinity and Policy

To fix this mess, we need a serious overhaul of how we prioritize in our laws. Automatic voter registration should be a no-brainer in any democracy worth its salt. At the same time, we need to address the real issues facing men today. Mental health support, community building, and encouraging emotional expression are vital. It’s time to move away from the archaic model that sees men primarily as warriors and start recognizing them as full-fledged humans with diverse needs and contributions.

The Trump Card

It’s also worth noting that the party spearheading this effort is none other than Trump’s crew. Yes, the same Trump who dodged the draft five times. Five. Times. So, the guy who avoided going to war like it was the plague is now leading the charge to make sure other men are automatically signed up for it. The irony is so thick you could cut it with a bone-spur exemption letter.

Photo by Jose M on Unsplash

The decision to automatically register young men for the Selective Service while balking at automatic voter registration is a glaring illustration of our screwed-up legislative priorities. As Surgeon General Vivek Murthy points out the crisis facing men, we need to listen up and take action. Let’s aim for a society that values well-being and civic engagement over outdated war prep. Men deserve to be seen as more than potential soldiers; they deserve to be supported, heard, and empowered to shape the democracy they live in.

So, let’s ditch the draft and draft better laws. Because in a true democracy, voting should be as automatic as, well, drafting guys for war apparently is.

And before we go, I want to remind you to join us on June 30th at 9PT/12ET for a transformative virtual sharing circle featuring Zach Watson, an expert in invisible labor coaching. Zach specializes in empowering men to recognize and redistribute domestic, mental, and emotional labor, fostering more balanced and equitable relationships. This unique event is an invaluable opportunity to learn practical strategies for creating a fairer division of responsibilities in your daily life. Don’t miss out on this chance to engage in meaningful conversations, gain insightful perspectives, and connect with a supportive community. Mark your calendars and be part of a movement towards greater harmony and mutual support! This event is exclusively for paid subscribers due to the intensive nature of the coaching provided. Your support ensures we can continue offering high-quality, impactful sessions like this one. Make sure you’re a paid subscriber so that you get the link the night before the event!

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Liz