In 1994 Republicans swept 54 seats to gain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. While some may dispute the cause of that landslide, many Republican House members believe it was their Contract With America. The contract provided a plan for governing the Republican agenda. After the election, the Speaker, Newt Gingrich, methodically reviewed the contract ensuring he covered the provisions. During our war against Radical Islamic Jihadists, we need a new Contract with America.

Accordingly, is there an over-arching theme that could guide us in drafting a contract and proposing an agenda? Yes, during wartime any contract has to be driven by the need to promote a warrior class. Michael Barone writes about two Americas, Hard America and Soft America. ‘Hard America’ is characterized by competition and accountability, while ‘Soft America’ attempts to protect its citizens through government regulation and other social safety nets.

Mr. Barone explains:

One of the peculiar features of our country is that we produce incompetent 18-year-olds and remarkably competent 30-year-olds.

….

Why? Because from the age of 6 to 18, our kids live mostly in what I call Soft America--the part of our society where there is little competition and accountability. In contrast, most Americans in the 12 years between ages 18 and 30 live mostly in Hard America--the part of American life subject to competition and accountability; the military trains under live fire. Soft America seeks to instill self-esteem. Hard America plays for keeps.

….

But a sensible society also understands--and the military has been driving home the lesson--that Soft America lives off the productivity, creativity, and competence of Hard America. And that we have the luxury of keeping part of our society Soft only if we keep most of it Hard.

During a long war, can we afford the luxury of an under 18-year-old Soft America? How can we instill hardiness in those under 18? During my years living in Japan, I observed that pre-school Japanese children had significant freedom with very little if any discipline in the home. When school began, however, their lives changed – the school imposed discipline, competition, and accountability. These young children benefited from a clear plan to develop hardiness. During the winter you could see it with the young boys as they walked past your house on their way to school. The boys were wearing their school uniforms with short pants cut above the knee. I often marveled at how they adapted to the cold. My experience was that during the severe winters kerosene heat only helped you reach a sort of truce with the weather, but real relief only came when the temperatures climbed.

If Japan could instill that sort of hardiness in their young, especially the boys, why shouldn’t the United States adopt a similar bias during this long war with radical Islam? Why wait, as Michael Barone notes, until the age of 18? Isn’t it a disservice to military volunteers raised in Soft America, that they have to adapt quickly in military service or possibly lose life or limb? Shouldn’t we lower the age when our young leave Soft American behind? Shouldn’t we create a larger group of pro-military warriors during times of peril?

Yes, we should, and make no mistake potential peril is all around us. In the first week of November 2006 news reports announced that six Arab countries, including Algeria, were contemplating going nuclear similar to Iran. Additionally, there is increasing risk of atomic weapons in the hands of terrorists. Further, if the Taliban seized control over Afghanistan and Pakistan we would indeed face perilous times. Therefore, a culture that values military service and promotes, nurtures, and supports a warrior class is essential.

Why do we want a warrior class? Mark Steyn provides a possible answer in an anecdote about an event in Europe where a gang of “young men” (Muslim youths) on board a bus attacked a helpless passenger. The other passengers all averted their eyes and looked towards the floor. Only one passenger stepped forward to challenge the "youths.” The gang turned on this intruder and began severely beating him. At the next bus stop, thirty passengers quickly exited while the “youths” continued beating the Good Samaritan to death. A society unwilling to fight for its existence is a society already dead. For protection, our society needs an agenda that nurtures a Hard America with a warrior class.

This proposed contract is a first step in recognizing that priority.

1. All high schools receiving federal funding will have mandatory ROTC classes at their campuses. High school ROTC graduates enlisting in a college ROTC program will receive priority for federal funds for educational grants and loans.

2. All colleges receiving federal funding shall have ROTC programs on campus and allow military recruiters on campus.

3. Any high school receiving federal funding must require two years of United States History for graduation.

4. Armed Forces television and radio broadcasting for domestic consumption via satellite transmission and Internet with a high priority for reporting the “good news” for events in Iraq or other combat areas.

5. Special bonuses for graduates of Navy SEAL and Special Forces training programs. Additionally, provide a 50 percent increase in G.I. Bill benefits for members of those military communities who successfully complete their enlistment.

6. Pass legislation authorizing boy’s only education. Give legislative priority for vouchers to students attending military academies at the junior high and high school level.

7. All high schools receiving federal funds must re-institute mandatory physical education.

8. Legislative priority for programs that encourage individual responsibility, competition, and initiative.

9. Legislators will partner with civilian leaders to create national tournaments similar to the Little League World Series in sports such as football and hockey for junior high school students.

10. Athletic programs, such as Division 1 men’s football and basketball that contribute significant financial support to University athletic departments will not count for scholarship purposes under any Title IX restrictions. Schools that had previously been forced to close men’s programs, e.g., in water polo, wrestling, fencing, or judo, will consequently have additional scholarships available.