HaTeTaTeLLyA | Rep. Charles Rangel (D) Wants Military Draft

I’m sure Democrats continue to celebrate as their party enjoys an astounding victory over the GOP. So, as Democrats, let’s not screw this up. Let’s stick to one message. Let us make an honest effort to listen to the people - the constituents. This would all be wonderful if we lived in some kind of political utopia. Since last night, I keep seeing this news article and it makes me ill ever time I see it. Rep. Charles Rangel, a Democrat from New York, would like to reinstate the military draft and force mandatory military service for men and women age 18 to 42. He did this before in 2003 when the United States & the ‘Coalition of the Willing‘ started their invasion of Iraq. All of his previous attempts for draft legislation have failed. So why try again? Well, Rep. Charles Rangel is hoping that since the Democrats will control Congress in 2007 he will have a good chance at getting some draft legislation passed.

On the brighter side of this story, Nancy Pelosi, incoming Speaker, stated that the House Democratic leadership would not support any legislation to reinstate the draft.

Just before the mid-term elections, Democrats screamed bloody murder after John Kerry made his remarks about the current soldiers in Iraq. Considering polls strongly suggest that Americans do not support the draft, why would Rep. Charles Rangel suggest such legislation? I have to give Rep. Rangel some credit. He makes a very valid point when he states:

“I don’t see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft.”

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Dubya said November 22, 2006, 10:27 am:

On the prelude to the battle of Agincourt, in Shakespeare’s Henry V, the King’s cousin Westmoreland lamented not having extra men to better the odds in battle. But King Henry had no doubts….

So Rep. Rengal feels that ‘the more men, the greater share of burden’. The idea would be that everyone would know the true weight of war and, supposedly, would be less inclined to wage it in the future. I have always been in favor of universal military service for our nation�s youth; it would instill in them an appreciation for this nation and some nationalistic pride that at times are taken for granted. Service to the state should be a virtue among our youth but I guess having a bumper sticker proclaiming support for our troops suffices today as badge of support and sacrifice….

But the draft these days is not only political suicide but would be an unbearable weight on our economy. We would not be able to withstand the cost of such a mobilization, outfitting the soldier, housing them, providing equipment, etc. Our current commitments are already a big drain of our national budget.

To Rep. Rengal I would suggest that he uses the time the Democrats have left in power to debate a more realistic course of action in Iraq. We are there now and will be for awhile so let�s not cry over spilled milk….clean it up. Besides, it�s no guarantee that having more men and women in uniform might discourage future military action but may encourage our leaders to expand our imperial reach.

I will end with King Henry closing of his famous ‘Band of Brothers’ speech….

Rep. Charles Rangel (D) Wants Military Draft

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