First proposed as a Constitutional Amendment is 1916, a resolution requiring acts of war to be subject to national referendum. All those voting in favor will be automatically conscripted for military service. Such a measure would logically reduce support for war, as well as prevent conscription of conscientious objectors. All able-bodied adult males in favor of the conflict will have the opportunity to participate directly in armed combat, while women, the elderly and those with physical and/or other limitations will be conscripted for other supporting roles.
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I believe this would be one of those things that is good in theory but can’t work in practice. If an event such as Pearl Harbor or 9/11 was to happen, it wouldn’t be conceivable to get an election rolled out for people to vote for it. It’s better to keep things strictly in Congress and limit emergency use of the military without congressional approval
This is a great idea that mandates skin in the game for policy pundits and warmongers alike that cheer on useless wars. We’ve lost over 100k US soldiers plus countless foreign civilians to unapproved “wars” that presidents have waged without getting proper war declarations of war. And for what? Most of these wars in hindsight accomplished nothing of lasting value, nor benefitted the US.
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Original 1916 Amendment proposed an exception for when the country is attacked directly. I worry such an exception would encourage false flags but I can also see the benefits.