How after all this crap that we heard from Democrats trying to scare us into being afraid of Republicans reinstating the draft, it turns out that THEY are THE ONES WHO WANT A DRAFT.

Rep. Rangel Will Seek to Reinstate Draft

By JOHN HEILPRIN
The Associated Press
Sunday, November 19, 2006; 4:11 PM



WASHINGTON -- 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.

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars and to bolster U.S. troop levels 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.

Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War who has unsuccessfully sponsored legislation on conscription in the past, said he will propose a measure early next year.

In 2003, he proposed a measure covering people age 18 to 26. This year, he offered a plan to mandate military service for men and women between age 18 and 42; it went nowhere in the Republican-led Congress.

Democrats will control the House and Senate come January because of their victories in the Nov. 7 election.

At a time when some lawmakers are urging the military to send more troops to Iraq, "I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft," said Rangel, who also proposed a draft in January 2003, before the U.S. invasion of Iraq.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican who is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Standby Reserve, said he agreed that the U.S. does not have enough people in the military.

"I think we can do this with an all-voluntary service, all-voluntary Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. And if we can't, then we'll look for some other option," said Graham, who is assigned as a reserve judge to the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.

Rangel, the next chairman of the House tax-writing committee, said he worried the military was being strained by its overseas commitments.

"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," Rangel said.

He said having a draft would not necessarily mean everyone called to duty would have to serve. Instead, "young people (would) commit themselves to a couple of years in service to this great republic, whether it's our seaports, our airports, in schools, in hospitals," with a promise of educational benefits at the end of service.

Graham said he believes the all-voluntary military "represents the country pretty well in terms of ethnic makeup, economic background."

Repeated polls have shown that about seven in 10 Americans oppose reinstatement of the draft and officials say they do not expect to restart conscription.

Outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Congress in June 2005 that "there isn't a chance in the world that the draft will be brought back."

Yet the prospect of the long global fight against terrorism and the continuing U.S. commitment to stabilizing Iraq have kept the idea in the public's mind.

The military drafted conscripts during the Civil War, both world wars and between 1948 and 1973. An agency independent of the Defense Department, the Selective Service System trains, keeps an updated registry of men age 18-25 _ now about 16 million _ from which to supply untrained draftees that would supplement the professional all-volunteer armed forces.

Rangel and Graham appeared on "Face the Nation" on CBS.

___

On the Net:

Selective Service System: http://www.sss.gov

story here

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...900376_pf.html

 

I am for the draft being reinstated. It was in force when I grew up and should be again. All that can serve should!

 

I would not mind a draft....but that really isn't why I posted that....All during the 2004 election cycle all we heard was "The Republicans are going to draft your sorry rear" when in reality it is the democrats that would do it first.

 

I would agree that military service should be mandatory for 2 years OR you have to go to college and if you don't graduate with a 4 year degree then you should have to serve your two. So every american would have a 4 year degree or a 2 year military degree. However, I don't think anyone under those circumstances should have to serve more than 1 tour in a combat zone unless they so choose. Here's a funny story.... I volunteered to do a second tour overseas and when I did about 7 or 8 of my friends decided to volunteer with me.... every one of them got taken and I never got to go again... So here we are in a time calling for more troops and more people and I volunteered to do a second tour and they left me at home. Since that time (last year) I became an IRR (Inactive Ready Reservist) Soldier and have started a family so I'm not game for a second tour now but I'd be willing to bet that if you asked soldiers to volunteer for second tours and longer tours with a few "vacations" in between that they'd have a lot of the people that they need.

 

I think it should have been done 5 years ago, and I think women should be swimming right in there with the men in the draft "pool". (I know a couple of eligible young women right in the White House who would make great soldiers!)

Great idea!

 

I agree with sir nasty about the service or college scenario. I think everyone should serve two years if they are able. And hey, if you cant afford college and end up having to join the military, they pay for your college. If you are only committed for two years, your odds of going overseas more than once are really slim. The military has taught me a lot, and Im better for it. I dont necessarily like it, and Im not going to reenlist, but Im proud of having served my country and I made the right decision by signing up.

 

Damn Skippy.

 

I agree. If women want equal rights and such then why shouldnt they have to register? That is one of the most irritating things to me. And when I bring it up, even though they want equal rights they of course say "well women need to take care of children". Both men and women are capable of doing this. In my opinion...by having only men elgible for the draft is basically saying our lives are less important.

 

I think its kind of due to the fact that men can serve in any job in the military, whereas, due to the current rules, women can only serve in support roles. Thus, women cannot be infantry, field artillery, combat engineers, etc. Do I agree with these rules? Not neccessarily. But I think that the American public is more willing to see its sons go directly into harms way more so than its daughters.

 

AGREE 1000%..THANK YOU TEX..
WheelBrokerAng


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