The Wit of Milton Friedman on the Draft

The General William Westmoreland, commander of all U.S. troops in Vietnam was testifying before a commission. In arguing against replacing the compulsory draft with voluntary service, the General argued that he didn't want to command an army of mercenaries.

Milton Friedman then interrupted and said, "General, would you rather command an army of slaves?",

The General replied, "I don't like to hear our patriotic draftees referred to as slaves."

Milton Friedman then retorted, "I don't like to hear our patriotic volunteers referred to as mercenaries. If they are mercenaries, then I, sir, am a mercenary professor, and you, sir, are a mercenary general; we are served by mercenary physicians, we use a mercenary lawyer, and we get our meat from a mercenary butcher."