Top Democrat: Bring back the draft

[brettdale]

"IMHO anyone who votes to bring back the draft, should have every family member including themselves sent to Iraq."


http://us.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/11/19/rangel.draft.ap/index.html

Top Democrat: Bring back the draft

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee has his way.

New York Democratic Rep. Charles Rangel said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars. He believes a draft would bolster U.S. troop levels that are currently insufficient to cover potential future action in Iran, North Korea and Iraq.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft, and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said.

[nam78_two]

1. Apart from everything else wrong with this, its like they

have a few in there who WANT the Dems to lose in 2008...

"Gee -this war is known to be unpopular. By and large, whatever happens between now and 2008, chances are high that people will blame the Republicans for whats wrong in Iraq and for this unpopular war. Gee, how about we make take positions on Iraq that would be even more unpopular with the average voter than those of the Rethugs."

And thats just the political aspect of this lunacy. Don't even get me started on all else thats wrong with it :grr:

[Mr_Spock]

3. It's calculated to have a backlash

It's very calculated politics IMHO. "You want more troops? OK, let's reinstate the draft then"

I'm interested to see if this falls on deaf ears as before - the Republicans don't want this because there will be no more wars of aggression like Iraq if there was a draft.

[nam78_two]

5. Hmmm....I can see that but IMO its a risky approach then /nt

[Mr_Spock]

9. Well, it worked last time he brought this up

This is the second time he has suggested that we reinstate the draft. It wasn't taken seriously by the Republicans before and will not be taken seriously now. It's called calling their bluff, and you are correct, it does have it's risks. Sometimes it's a good strategy - best defense is a good offense, right?

[OwnedByFerrets]

2. Its political suicide for a party to propose this.... nt

[Eric J in MN]

4. The existence of a draft didn't prevent Vietnam.

Why would it prevent the next bad war?

[sabbat hunter]

8. Viet Nam

in Viet Nam there were all sorts of deferments and ways to avoid the draft legally. just look at the chickenhawks in the White house. but imagine if cheney couldnt get those deferments or * couldnt go into the national guard to avoid the draft.

[Eric J in MN]

12. The military doesn't even want everyone.

There will always be loopholes to a draft.

[Mr_Spock]

17. Vietnam lead to the end of the draft

There was a lot of resentment generated by the deferments (people with money going to college etc...). Rangel is specifically describing a draft without deferment that would not allow the elite to get out of service. There is a significant point that he is making here.

[sabbat hunter]

6. rangel was drafted

and served in korea honorably. his reasoning about bringing back the draft with no deferments is that if the children of the people in power had to go to war, then we wouldnt be so quick to do so.

i think it is an interesting take

[TheDebbieDee]

13. Thank you! I was just about to post this very fact......

The whole point of Rep Rangel bringing back the draft was to make sure that some of the powerful proponents of this war get some of their own skin involved in what's going on in Iraq!

Or any other place the *CO is thinking of invading in the next two years!

[EFerrari]

18. Logical consequence.

:thumbsup:

[Hawaii Hiker]

7. First of all,

I think the idea of bringing back the draft is a bad one....One reason the U.S. has such a good military is because it is an all-volunteer force...Mixing volunteers w/draftees would severely diminish the quality of the armed forces..

Also, the draft is definitely political suicide....Democrats don't need to be answering from now til election day 2008 about whether or not they'd be in favor of a draft...Draft talk should be off the table, & Democrats would be wise to blast Rangel for his comments...

[MikeNearMcChord]

11. Sadly this war was not designed for a volunteer force

I would have the draft only in the event of a Constitutional declared war.(The House of Represenativess), wars like shrub's should be put under strict congressional control, with review every 30 days, and if doesn't pass muster, then congress should not fund it. Bush has destroyed this military, for years to come.

[lovuian]

10. I have to give Rumsfeld Credit he didn't have a draft

no matter how much Rangel hollered

Rangel should be asking for Universal health for Americans

why doesn't he give Bush a kiss on the cheek

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. Fuck the draft and fuck anyone who calls for it! Period!

The rich will always find a way out of going to war and a way out of paying for it!

[MikeNearMcChord]

15. Agreed, that is why the way to undercut these

bastards who want to go to war on a whim, is to start a massive counter-recruiting project, to keep many from joining the armed forces as a poverty draft, I suspect that the number that join will be much smaller for politicians to abuse, also the House must regain the war powers, that the Constitution provides.

[iamthebandfanman]

16. indeed

people should probably let his office know they arent to happy with that statement.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. I am not happy with his statement! Not at all!