Rangel is right about the draft.

[1932]

If everyone felt that they had a direct connection to the foreign policy choices our government made, we'd make more thoughtful decisions about whom we elect into government.

It would be tough in the short term for people who had to fight for causes that previous governments manufactured. However, in the long term, we'd be way better off. In the future, we won't be in situations like the one that we find ourselves in today.

Furthermore, I love Rangel's idea to expand the service into which people would be drafted beyond the armed services. After hearing about the contracts the SF Airport has signed (millions of dollars to a private company that isn't even doing the job well), I'd rather have drafted Americans and the government taking care of homeland security than the people who are doing it now. And then there's the higher education grants for people once they have served--another great idea.

[Kagemusha]

1. Excuse me but, the short term is two years and a couple of months.

That's an awful long time to give this administration a free ride to call up the nation's young adults with the blessing of an Act of Congress passed with Democratic Party support.

And you are talking about forced indentured servitude.

[Mythsaje]

3. That forced indentured servitude seems to be

pretty damned popular with some of our fellow DUers.

Been fighting THAT particular fire for the past several hours...

[Kagemusha]

11. Speaking for myself, good luck with that

I know Rangel's unlikely to get his way, but people don't understand why Europe felt a lot less free to live in for a long time until this mandatory service stuff started going out o fashion. They'd be a lot happier being drafted to serve in a shooting war than drafted to work for McDonalds for $5.50.

[1932]

78. You think Americans aren't forced indentured servants today?

I think I've read that 50% of Americans don't pay their credit card balances off in full every month. A lot of Americans are forced indentured servants to their creditors.

Also, I think Americans will get a great return on their investment into their government if there were a draft. One of the great returns, as I said, is that they'll think a lot harder about whom they elect to government and, as a result, stop voting for the shoot and first and ask questions later Republicans.

[Kagemusha]

93. Uh, I think this would be on a bit of a different scale.

At any rate, I'm proud to say I don't insist on other human beings suffering because they don't agree with me, however unwise their actions may prove.

Besides, my concern is that people will see themselves as having voted for Democrats yet they are being dragged into war anyway.

[Mythsaje]

2. Riiiight...

We didn't have the draft before Korea or Vietnam.

Or did we?

[1932]

80. The draft was the reason Americans were so engaged in the Vietnam discussion

and, when Nixon proposed ending it in '72, a lot of young people lost the imperative to vote and Nixon won the election. We elected a lot of good Democrats in the years we had the draft, like Roosevelt, Kennedy and Johnson. And we elected a lot of Republicans since it ended, like Reagan twice and three terms of Bushes.

[Warren Stupidity]

82. Vietnam War: 1965 - 1975. 50,000 of ours 2,000,000 of theirs.

That is what your fucking draft will get you.

[1932]

86. We have Iraq and no draft now. I think Nixon ended the draft in order to protect

the possibility of continuing to have Vietnams and that, if the draft continued, it would have been ended Vietnam two years sooner (in the '72 election) and wouldn't have Iraq.

I think that we almost got Robert Kennedy as president partly because of the draft and an engaged public.

[Warren Stupidity]

87. Right now on a bad week we lose perhaps 20 soldiers.

In the bad weeks in Vietnam there were 300 or more of our kids dead.

What ended the war in Vietnam was that Congress, in 1975, cut off funding. What will end the Iraq war is not a draft that will solve the recruiting problem and enable the ground force that the military planners originally wanted (470,000 on the ground, see Fiasco) but for Congress to step up and do what really has to be done: cut off funding for the war.

You end the war by ending the war, not by enabling more and bigger wars.

[1932]

90. I'm not sure that difference is due entirely to the draft or the number of troops

in Iraq vs Vietnam. It might have to do with the nature of occupation of Iraq, the American strategy (just control Baghdad's green zone and the oil fields), and the nature of the government we deposed (on that wasn't so popular with the people in the first place).

[Monkeyman]

4. Just the Debate could bring the Iraq war to the forefront

[pstans]

5. More people would be paying attention to politics

and less attention to American Idol, Dancing with the Stars, and MTV.

[hsher]

Good point

[Buzz Clik]

6. Seriously flawed logic.

We had the draft when Vietnam was sprung on an easily duped public. They killed nearly 60,000 young men for no particular reason. We were fooled then as were fooled this time around. The American voters are easily fooled, even when their asses are on the line.

[Erika]

13. We woke up.

Thanks to the internet(s) (A plug for KO)

[Buzz Clik]

16. Granted. We woke during Vietnam, too.

If Shrub had access to the draft, do you think he would have hesitated in attacking Iran and/or North Korea, sending tens of thousands to their deaths? We saw that our elected officials in Congress offered no resistance to Iraq.

No, no, no. No draft.

[Erika]

20. Yes, draft

Because we now know what our government is capable of doing. We aren't the innocents anymore.

[Buzz Clik]

27. Would you support a random lottery...

where every 19-year-old, legal resident of this country was eligible with no exceptions?

[Ayesha]

7. Better yet

I would like to see NON-VIOLENT community service required for all citizens from age 18-20. Something like Peace Corps or Americorps. People could be placed according to their skills/interests, from building affordable housing to setting up computers in inner-city schools. I think that would give young adults a stronger sense of commitment to their communities and making this country a better place. And it would save/improve lives instead of taking them.

[Captain Hilts]

8. If WEALTHY people had a direct connection. Like members of Congress, WH etc. nt

[Warpy]

14. Never going to happen

Hasn't happened in the past, isn't happening now, won't happen in the future.

Even during the Civil War, rich men's sons could pay a poor man's son $300.00 to enter the Union Army in his place.

One of my great granduncles was one of them.

[Erika]

22. The rich men under Rangel's plan would serve

The electorate is no longer uninformed or silent.

I love Charlie.

[Warpy]

36. Like hell they would

Rich men have already bought most of Congress. Nobody is going to ask them to do their share. Likely it will be the way the tax code went, specific sweetheart exemptions for each Congressman's big donors.

Don't kid yourself. Some things will never be made fair.

[The Count]

49. And who will let rangel plan through? By the time is approved, it will be

so full of holes, and the application so faulty, that the same schmucks will be dying that were dying before - only more of them.

[Erika]

9. Rangel is right on and good for him!

I've known too many low income kids who went into the service as a way to see the world and get an education (ala Jessica Lynch)vs the "comfortable" kids whose parents send them to college or off to play rather than considering a military career.

When all American suffer equally during war, the "war" will stop.

[Mythsaje]

18. All Americans will NEVER suffer equally...

At the first sign of any kind of universal draft, if they even smell it in the wind, the upper crust will EXPATRIATE their kids and the poor and the middle class, forced into servitude to the corporate masters that are behind all these fucking wars, will be in the same boat they've always been in.

This whole theory is bullshit.

[Jokinomx]

46. It didn't stop the Vietnam war...

What makes you think it will stop this or any future war.

Yes... some wealthy did serve in Nam ..Kerry was one of them... on the other end... some wealthy got out.... chimp being one of them....

No draft.. not now ... not ever...

[Common Sense Party]

57. Didn't Rangel vote AGAINST his own bill when he brought this

crap up in 2004?

If Rangel is "right on" then why wouldn't he vote for his OWN measure?

[Warpy]

10. People HAD that "direct connection" to foreign policy prior to the

end of the Vietnam War, something Rangel seems conveniently to have forgotten, and that "direct connection" was worth exactly NOTHING to us in opposition to that stupid and unwinnable war.

If you think people in the heartland are going to be up in arms because Junior gets drafted to fight a war of corporate convenience in some hellhole overseas, you'd better start reading some HISTORY.

There is a reason we fought against the draft. Consider that the all volunteer army is working exactly as it's supposed to: enlistments are down because we have a tinpot dictator who only knows how to get us into more damned wars we have no hope of winning.

The Pentagon has told him NO! on Iran. They know they don't have the manpower.

Do you really want to be fighting 3 corporate wars with unwilling kids put on the front line?

[Divernan]

12. Look, if we're stuck in Iraq, or even if we start bringing troops home soon,

our "volunteer" army, as well as our National Guard troops are in burnt out shambles. The other volunteer forces (which have never had to draft to maintain their numbers) have also been cannibalized by Bush's Iraq - with Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard forces doing land duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Army, by repeatedly lowering its requirements, has flooded its lower ranks with bottom of the barrel recruits who would never have made the cut before Iraq.

A draft would bring the quality and ability of the armed forces back up to speed. If we continue without it, we continue to abuse everyone currently in the military. A draft would also result in an immediate increase in Congressional concern for the welfare of the members of the armed forces, and inhibit Congress from letting Bush continue with his war-mongering, world domination plans.

We have all said for a long time that the mistakes made by the Bush administration will be costly to fix - some of the damage he's done can never be repaired for the people whose lives he's ruined. Many opportunities have been lost for our lifetimes, in terms of maintaining, let alone improving the quality of our lives. I think one of the costs will be a draft.

On edit: I'd really like to hear some comments from DUers who are vets or are currently serving, or have a friend or family member in the military.

[Erika]

26. My nephew Marine has served two tours in Iraq

He's career. He is so glad his next assigment is to a Navy ship. The Marines are proud of what they have done to help the Iraqi people, their mission.

But they hold no hope for any type of Iraq that W perceives or envisions. It's not there.

Kissenger stated such today.

[David Dunham]

15. Younger voters HATE the draft and will vote Republican if Rangel succeeds

[Mr_Spock]

17. That's missing the point entirely

You are not paying attention.

[Ninja Jordan]

21. You expect the media to explain the subtle nuances to the masses?

the poster is right. Rangel keeps this up and bye bye Democratic majority...

[Erika]

23. I expect the internet to inform the public and go Rangel!

The GOP might have to justify their unjustifiable war and future ones.

[Ninja Jordan]

37. How does Rangel's bill make the GOP justify anything?

[Mr_Spock]

25. lol - there is NOTHING subtle about what Rangel is doing

..and it has no chance of passing and it makes the Dems look like we are ready to do what it takes and shows the Republicans for the hypocrites that we all know they are. The hawks will get this and get even MORE mad at the Republicans.

[Erika]

28. Exactly. The GOP is the party of the chickenhawks

I probably admire Rangel than anyone I know about. A Black Korean vet who speaks for all the working class.

[Azathoth]

29. All it shows is that the Dems are schizophrenic

"We staunchly oppose this war, so we're gonna draft more kids to die in it so that more people will oppose this war!"

And you honestly think this is gonna play with voters?

[Erika]

31. He's demanding equal sacrifice

This is wrong? Sorry, you're not goig to sell it that it's ok for the needy to fight wars but not the Bush family. Go Rangel@

[Ninja Jordan]

40. It's not ok for anyone to be fighting, that's the point.

You didn't address the poster's contention: "We oppose this war so we're going to institute the draft so more people oppose the war!"

[Sparkly]

42. I don't think Rangel is going to reinstitute the draft.

He knows this won't pass. But it does bring about a debate about our foreign policy. If we think we can go everywhere in the world to fight the "war on terror" militarily, it won't happen without a draft. The volunteer military is stretched and taken for granted in many ways. I think it's a debate well worth having.

[Mr_Spock]

32. Well, keep thinking linearly

There is a reason that we elect people to strategize for us - and I expect them to go beyond obvious "play it safe" rhetoric. I want to see these risky plays called - no linear thinking here.

[Warren Stupidity]

89. Keep thinking in spirals until 2+2=5.

End the war by cutting off funding. It is that simple. It is that linear.

[Ninja Jordan]

39. You're right.

[kster]

74. Agreed...nt

[Erika]

19. To do what, escape their duty to the country?

No, the elitists GOP don't want their kids sent off, but they certaily don't mind sending the needy off to war.

The GOP would vote their party anyway.

[YOY]

97. and get a boatload of new GOP members

Wake up.

"Serve their country"...yeah right...forced "service" to lower and middle classes and elites skipping out just like always.

You wanna "serve your country" don't support idiotic party killing notions like this one.

[1932]

88. Not if they couple that support with a pledge to not fight wars for private profit.

[Azathoth]

24. Jesus, and people wonder why the term "liberal" has been so easily demonized

We haven't had power for more than two weeks and already we've decided not only to reinstate the draft, but to expand the draft into indentured civilian servitude.

Un-fucking-believable.

[Erika]

30. Yep. Let all sacrifice equally.

Equal sacrifice will guarantee government balance between the GOP elitists and the working class.

[Azathoth]

33. How the fuck is a draft "equal sacrifice"?

The last time military sacrifice cut equally across economic boundries in this country was World War II (and even that is debatable). The draft has never been about equal sacrifice. The poor get drafted and the rich get deferments. And if you think that Rangel's draft would somehow be different, then I've got some beautiful beachfront property in sunny Kansas to sell you.

[Warren Stupidity]

84. Oh but this time it will be all perfect,.

The fact that this has never been the case in the past does not deter idiots from believing that it will be the case in the future.

[Ninja Jordan]

41. Yeah, because it worked so well during the Vietnam War's 10 year run (nm)

[Erika]

59. It will be done differently this time

The elitists will have to show up.

[Mythsaje]

63. ROFL

Yeah, sure.

They live in a totally different WORLD than the rest of us.

They can get citizenship in another country by snapping their fingers. Permanent vacation in the Bahamas or some other leisure destination.

The elites are A THOUSAND times richer and more influential than they were back then. They more or less OWN whole countries.

You can no more force them to play along than you can stop a plane from taking off with a push broom.

[Erika]

64. Yeah but they are kept them from declaring themselves

patriotic Americans.

LMAO.

[Mythsaje]

66. Yeah, and in the meantime

EVERYBODY else's kid gets to be marched off to fight and die for someone else's political gain.

[Azathoth]

69. Ah, the rallying cry of those determined to repeat history

It will be different this time.

:crazy:

[Another Bill C.]

34. Revised draft laws ended the Vietnam "war."

"Before Congress made improvements to the draft in 1971, a man could qualify for a student deferment if he could show he was a full-time student making satisfactory progress toward a degree.

"Under the current draft law, a college student can have his induction postponed only until the end of the current semester. A senior can be postponed until the end of the academic year."

http://www.sss.gov/viet.htm

When I was young, everybody in my lower middle-class neighborhood could figure on being drafted. It was between the Korean war and the Vietnam Police Action. None of our families could afford to send us to college. Many of us preemptively joined the Guard or the reserves. Those who didn't were likely to get drafted. Wealthier young men were exempted as long as they went to college, graduate school, or became teachers. It was pretty much that way until 1971.

In 1971, the exemptions were changed as above. We pulled out of Vietnam in 1973.

[Erika]

35. Exactly n/t

[The Count]

51. ummm...didn't the Volunteer army also start in 1973? You may say "IT"

ended the war just as well....

[Another Bill C.]

72. No, you can't.

The volunteer Army was made possible because we were pulling out of Vietnam.
We were pulling out of Vietnam because the war suddenly got the attention of the upper classes whose sons became draft bait in 1971 when the exemptions were tightened.

There will be ways for many of the high-and-mighty to avoid service but a lottery draft with limited exemptions will get the attention of the majority of Americans who are giving little thought to war in Iraq today. When the lives their sons and daughters are jeopardized instead of the lives of some unknown kids from a little town they never heard of, then the war will be over soon.

[Warren Stupidity]

79. The draft was nearly inoperative by the time the lottery was started.

Mass resistence to the draft had rendered it near useless. Morale inside the military with draftees was horrible and there were serious problems conducting the war. The lottery was paper pasted over the fact that the government had to change course in vietnam as it no longer could rely on its ability to maintain nearly 500,000 troops on the ground in vietnam.

The lottery retained deferments. Students were still not being drafted and there were other ways out as well.

It is simply delusional to think that the lottery ended the war.

[Beam Me Up]

38. I don't believe I'm fucking hearing this.

I really don't fucking believe it.

I think I'm just going to go out and shoot myself.

You people are god damned insane.

If we had had military conscription on 9/11, we'd be in IRAN now to complete the NEOCON Imperailist agenda.

I just don't fucking believe I'm reading this shit on DU.

[Mythsaje]

43. Ah, then you're on the same page I am...

I've been dealing with this nonsense for the past several hours going :wtf:

And I agree. Had we had the draft on 9/11, we would probably have NO ONE under the age of 45 left in the country. (Okay, a little hyperbole there...but you get my point)

Un-freaking-believable.

[Beam Me Up]

44. Totally on the same page.

From Gustave Gilbert's book Nuremberg Diary:

We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.

"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

"The enormous gap between what US leaders do in the world and what Americans think their leaders are doing is one of the great propaganda accomplishments of the dominant political mythology." Michael Parenti

This idea is VERY VERY DANGEROUS.

Edit typo

[Mythsaje]

45. Absolutely...

I understand what Rangel's doing...it's a ploy.

But what freaks me out more than what he's doing is how many DUers are standing up saying "YEAH, We need a draft!"

The fuck we do.

This is crazy.

[Beam Me Up]

53. They don't get it. When you're in the military you give up your citizen rights.

This is my worst nightmare come true. This is where the fascists have been trying to heard us for the past six years and now the Democrats are talking about bringing it on VOLUNTARILY! Yeah, lets have EVERYONE in the damn military. Lets get everyone's ID, everyone chipped, everyone scanned and retna-IDed. Lets get them all used to taking orders. Lets put the whole country on a MILITARY footing? Why not? It would be the most politically correct thing to do! EVERYONE can serve.

Meanwhile, not one person outside a very few with very high clearances knows precisely what happened on 9/11 and why. Not one.

"Oh, but it won't happen -- this is just to start a dialog." Well, you know, if you want to talk about something, lets talk about the LIES that led to this debacle in Iraq? How about talking about THAT? HUGH? Lets talk about the lies. Lets dig into that and get that one settled then maybe we can talk about a Draft. Better yet, maybe then we won't NEED one because we'll finally get to the bottom of what WARS are all about, why they happen, WHO THEY BENEFIT. Maybe then we can take all that wealth that gets dumped into the top 1% and spread it around to all the people who are now joining up to get an education or a job.

We don't need a god damn draft, people! What we NEED is to make it impossible for global corporations to profit from war.

WAR IS ALL ABOUT MONEY. It is a RACKET. it isn't about ideologies, it isn't about security, it is about RESOURCES and DOMINATION.

Jesus, what is happening? Democrats win Congress and they turn into Republicans over night?

I feel like I'm in some weird Twilight-Zone flick or maybe the Night of the Living Dead!

I'm going away now.

This is sickening.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

83. OK, so you think the current military situation is just fine, right? The same kids, going to Iraq,

over and over?

What's your solution to the harsh, racist, elitist inequity that is the current situation on the ground? Just keep sending the children of the working poor, until they're all gone?

I have a child in college who would be targeted, if this bill is passed, which, guess what, it won't be in a million years, which you know, as well. Rangel is willing to take the hit, to remind all of us of the perils of the current management of our military today.

If the posts on DU are any indication, at least this proposal has opened up some long needed dialog about the current insanity that is being visited upon the beleagured troops in our Armed Services. MKJ

[Warren Stupidity]

85. No it isn't fine. The way to fix that problem is to cut off funding.

The way to not fix that problem is to provide a fresh new stream of bodies for the war machine.

End the war honestly by cutting off funding.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

91. Americans won't rally to cut funding the way they'll rally to stop a draft.

If this is leading the news, it's fine with me. This fat, corpulent, lazy, short attention span country needs a jolt.

One of the reasons that gwb and the cabal has been able to pull off this horrific occupation is the relatively small number of folks with a loved one serving. And, of that number, the majority are poor and disenfranchised.

Rangel is shining the light on this abhorrent situation. He may very well take a huge hit for this, but, at least he's gotten attention of this country.

The American people will never support a draft of their children into this debacle. You want to see a united country? See how many people will take to the streets, and join together...at least we'd be a United States, again. We ALL love our children.

It's ignited a fierce debate here...good, it's about time to talk about the abuse of military men and women by this corrupt, criminal cabal.

"Despite the evidence to the contrary, it is just too easy for the President to give assurances that our military would be available and ready to carry out regime change, wherever and whenever he and his advisors want to, whether in Iraq, Iran, Syria or North Korea," Congressman Rangel said.

"The President said in his State of the Union address that war was an option that remained on the table in dealing with these countries. In my view, the war option would not be on the table if the people being placed in harm's way were children of White House officials, members of Congress or CEOs in the boardrooms. As other people's children endure a grinding war, they have been given huge tax cuts, while our veterans have gotten cuts in health benefits," Congressman Rangel said.

[The Count]

50. So with you! And blame those wars on the Democrats too!

Rangel face on TV next to each coffin - which will suddenly allowed to show up.

[Common Sense Party]

54. It's the Twilight Zone. Here comes Rod Serling...

People here cannot see the realistic consequences of their feel-good symbolic actions.

[Erika]

56. Trust in Rangel

He knows the GOP will not send their kids to war. War is for the poor people like Lynch. Get used to it.

[Beam Me Up]

61. Sorry, I'm not that brain dead.

Rangel may have his heart in the right place and think he knows what he is doing. I do not TRUST and will NEVER BE SO STUPID AS TO TRUST the National Security State apparatus. Neither should Rangel. They can set in motion consequences for which we will be paying with our lives.

[Erika]

65. Rangel will control them

Remember he's a Black Korean vet. He's not a GOP chickenhawk.

[Buzz Clik]

67. And when Rangel is gone?

Sorry, reinstituting a peacetime draft is wrong.

[Erika]

70. Expecting all to sacrifice equally is not wrong

Rangel has stood up and said enough is enough.

Do you wish Rangel dead? Many others believe as he does.

[Mythsaje]

73. But that will never happen...

It looks good on paper, but it's a clever illusion.

[The Count]

47. Bush's war will become Rangel's war - coffins on TV and all

W wants escalation, Rangel is playing in his hands. The approved bill will look nothing like Charlie proposed, but his name will be on it. A lifetime of good deeds will be remember for the dead in Iraq.

[Erika]

58. Rangel has called the GOP hand

and they are going to fold.

[Buzz Clik]

68. This is a bluff? It's a dangerous game.

[Azathoth]

71. Alright, explain exactly how he has called their hand

Rangel demands that there be a draft. What does the GOP say? "You're in power, we dare you to pass it." Rangel can't get the votes, debate on the bill dies quickly, and he wanders off with his tail between his legs.

What exactly have we gained?

[The Count]

75. Shouldn't you be helping some airline protect us from breast feeding?

You just glommed on yet another crazy fixation: play poker with people's lives. Ain't that what Bushco is doing?

[Tom Joad]

48. Start with old men serving in the House of Representatives. Draft

their ass first.

[Beam Me Up]

55. Now THAT, I can get behind.

Draft every OLD FART in Congress first. DRAFT everyone who owns stock in Ratheon or Bectal or Carlyle.

THAT WOULD PUT AN END TO WAR, FOLKS.

[Mythsaje]

62. There you go...

I'm all for that.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2978727&mesg_id=2978727

[Mythsaje]

60. That's what I said HERE

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=2978727&mesg_id=2978727

[Liberty Belle]

52. No way. I have 2 teens. Don't let Bush get his hands on them!

A draft would just make it easier to wage perpetual war by providing a constant stream of cannon fodder.

I am an officer in the Democratic Party, but I would leave and become Peace & Freedom if my own party initiated a draft that could take my kids. Rangel is putting Dems in a terrible light by pushing for something this stupid.

[Jacklyn75]

76. Why don't the people who support the war send their kids????

I totally agree with you Liberty! As a mom of ONE, there is NO WAY I want to see the draft!! I don't understand this logic, the rich and powerful will still be exempt (like they always have been) but the rest of us will watch our kids go and die! No thanks!

[USA_1]

77. Rangel Is "Right"?

So why are Republicans gloating on right wing radio?

[Warren Stupidity]

81. Morning news: Democrats want to restart the draft!

Brilliant Mr. Rangel, just brilliant.

[BleedingHeartPatriot]

92. Good. People may just start talking about this, instead of Tom Cruise's marriage.

Thanks, Congressman Rangel.

You may take a hit, but at least you've given people a reason to really think about this criminal enterprise in Iraq. MKJ

[Claire Beth]

94. I agree with you! n/t

[The Backlash Cometh]

95. How old are you and do you have children?

[YOY]

96. No, he is not

As I have said a million times before to deaf ears. This makes the Dems look like hawks. It may stop the war, but will just cause Republicans to take back the house and senate in a few years and repeal the law and look like heroes.

Then they start a another war...

Folks in my office are already saying "The Democrats want a draft!" They are not saying "Gosh, maybe Rangels brilliant plan will stop future wars! This is genius!!!"

I have no idea why anyone would recommend this course of action aside from idiocy and political suicide let alone support such a hyper-idealistic notion that screams BIG MISTAKE in mentioning it let alone enacting it. Then again some folks will agree to anything anyone says as long as they've got a D after their names.