posted
Senior Democrat renews call for military draft
By Jackie Frank
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An influential Democratic lawmaker on Sunday called for reinstatement of the draft as a way to boost U.S. troop levels and draw a broader section of the population into the military or public service.
U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, the incoming chairman of the House of Representatives' tax-writing committee, said he would introduce legislation to reinstate the draft as soon as the new, Democratic-controlled Congress convenes in January.
Asked on CBS' "Face the Nation" if he was still serious about the proposal for a universal draft he raised a couple of years ago, he said, "You bet your life. Underscore serious."
"If we're going to challenge Iran and challenge North Korea and then, as some people have asked, to send more troops to Iraq, we can't do that without a draft," he said.
Rangel, who opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq, also said he did not think the United States would have invaded Iraq if the children of members of Congress were sent to fight. He has said the U.S. fighting force is comprised disproportionately of people from low-income families and minorities.
"I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft. I think to do so is hypocritical," he said.
The New York Democrat had introduced legislation to reinstate the draft in January 2003 before the Iraq invasion. The Pentagon has said the all-volunteer army is working well and there is no need for a draft, and the idea had no traction in the Republican-led Congress.
Democrats gained control of both the House and Senate for the first time in 12 years in the November 7 election, and a wholesale change in the leadership of Congress is to be made in January. Rangel is to head the House Ways and Means Committee, which is charged with U.S. tax and trade legislation.
The draft was in place from 1948 to 1973, when the United States converted to an all-volunteer army. But almost all men living in the United States - including most male noncitizens - are required to register with the Selective Service upon reaching 18, and federal benefits, including financial aid for college studies, are contingent on registration.
Rangel said his legislation on the draft would also offer the alternative of a couple of years of public service with educational benefits.
posted
I agree with Rangel 100% I work in a place where in my department no male except me has served there country.
Of course they are all Republicans and support the war blindly.
When I asked the question why they don't and did not serve, there answers were all the same ,well I am making something out of my life I don't need to.
How can a country go to war and have less than 1% of the population fight it and be the only ones that suffer it is just plain wrong.
Also the military has to get back to running itself instead of contracting out a lot of the running of the military.
If you have conscripts doing there service we would have a much bigger military for less money and all would get the honor of serving in a war that a lot of people want.
there ain't nothing like putting your money were your mouth is.
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
And of course they the US Government takes illegals to that used to keep a lot of them out of the country
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Gordon Bennett: Sure, The US Government will gladly take illegals if they register for the draft. But how many will?
I wonder how people are going to feel when they, or their kids, are forced to "liberate" other nations...
Not too good, I imagine.
(I vote we draft the sponsors of this legislation first!)
EXCELLENT IDEA GORDON!!!!
im opposed to illegal immigrants on grounds of that they came ILLEGALLY, criminals cross the border, and population rising ahead of development (high real estate prices here)
but the idea of What to do with them...well How about a deal like you said....You can become a citizen if you serve the country for a minumum of ___years....
thats GREAT man! u should be a senator
Posts: 3086 | From: miami | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
and In relations to the draft...why not just draft all men/women over 45 the baby boomers are screwing up the economy, so why not kill 2 birds with one stone...hahaha
Posts: 3086 | From: miami | Registered: Nov 2005
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posted
I really don't understand all the people that support this war especially at the start and according to the poles on the draft they will refuse to fight it.
So I guess in america war is great and exciting as long as you don't have to go and do it.
I really don't understand your logic.
Everybody's life is important and should never be risked for a bad reason . So I ask you what is changing now about the war and the populations perception of it . Could it be the fact that the war cannnot be won unless we have the 300,000 to 400,000 troops that the Generals say we need and the only way to get the manpower is to draft?
If people say the war is just why would we need a draft then? In a just war all you would need is volunteers.
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
To some extent you are rightGordon, but for the most part except for the people of real priviledge it will be serve or jail.
I know what Rangel's real motive just the thought of shared sacrifice would instill a much deeper social awareness.
When you really talk to some of these middle class people they really feel that there kids are special and other peoples kids that go in the military are loosers that need help with an education or a direction because they are to stupid to figure out where they are going.
Bush and his toadies know this very well. They are experts at knowing the game, a draft and his war is over and he knows it.
Most people that voted for Bush do not really believe in fairness or shareing any sacrifice.Like Bush they have been shirkers and gold bricks there whole life
Posts: 6008 | From: phoenix az | Registered: Mar 2005
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posted
Even though I am 40, I believe they raised the sign-up age to 42. hmmmm.....naaaah my family would not let me.
Posts: 1178 | From: Mobile, AL | Registered: Aug 2005
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