Military service...voting?

Got your attention? Good.
Now, what do you, the public of Yahoo Answers, think of the notion of requiring (in the US) military service if an individual wishes to vote? That is of course if you are an able bodied individual.
Would this allow people to actually appreciate their 'right' to vote and take it as a great gift which must be exercised and protected?
Also, if an individual wishes to run for a public office, should military service be required of them?
To answer my own question I say yes to both. Give me your voice and reason so that the yahoo answers community may discuss this...

I say this due to the fact so few Americans seem to care about their government. By actually working to protect their country people shall feel that they have to much invested to not vote.
(No I did not see anything about Sparta. This is just my point of view.)

I believe that it should be required for those that wish to participate in government at any level whether it be voting or running for an office, serving in the military should be a requirement. I say this because it is too easy to take for granted the "privilege" of voting. We are a blessed country, we are able to actively participate in government here in the US, a privilege which many others are not permitted to enjoy.
I say that voting is a privilege because in my mind you cannot fully appreciate that "right" until you have served your time to EARN that privilege.

Men and women in our armed services fight and work hard so that we can live in peace here in America. They fight so that we can have life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We have our lives, we have our liberty for the most part, and we are basically all presented with the "opportunity" to pursue happiness.

No go out there and earn your right to vote, don't just sit there thinking that voting is a God given right because it is a privilege earned through service.

Stupid Idea. No offense to you personally. I served and think that in no way should that be attatched to the right to vote.

This is not Sparta and the world is not like the movie 300.

No to both questions...

The constitution is fine the way it is, also if everyone had to enlist in the army think about the economy... it would be drastically effected

It would take away from the Freedoms that all those who have served fought for.

USMC 1983-1990
God Bless America and our Troops !!!
Red-White-Blue...These Colors Don't Run !!!

Did you watch Starship Troopers?
"Military service insures citizenship"

Stupidest thing I have ever heard. Your rights as an american should never be conditional on anything. What makes this nation great is that people have the right to freely have their own opinion, on anything. Start requiring people to serve in the military in order to maintain their rights and we are no longer a "FREE" nation.

I disagree. Can you imagine the military budget we would require to manage and support every 18 year old coming of age to be in the military? That can get real pricey. I prefer the volunteer military and more parents teaching their own kids to appreciate this country.
In regards to serving in the military to be in public office, I know of no job in the military that would make you more qualified to speak of land development, welfare reform, education or health care. Yes it would come in handy in regards to the military, but it does nothing for the remainder of the issues. The ability to put good people around you is much more desirable in my eyes.
USAF Vet and Republican

No. We are not a militarily based country. Our economy and our rights are not predicated on the military. Would you disenfranchise all that were not physically able to serve? Are only those with military training capable of thinking and leading?