Jan 16, 2007

Rangel's push for draft gets little support

By Anna M. Tinsley
U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel said his plan, which comes as President Bush is calling for an expanded military, could deter politicians from starting wars because their children could be at risk of fighting.
"I believe it is immoral for those who insist on continuing the conflict in Iraq, and placing war on the table in Iran and North Korea, to do so only at the risk of other people's children," said Rangel, the new chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee. "If there must be a sacrifice, then the burden must be shared fairly."
Rangel filed a similar proposal in 2003, to make men and women between 18 and 26 eligible for the draft. And he offered another plan last year, to require military service for people between 18 and 42.
Both plans died, and he even voted against his own first proposal in 2004 - and encouraged fellow Democrats to follow suit - because, he said, Republicans were trying to use the bill to avoid questions about the war in Iraq.
Political observers say Rangel's proposal should get some air time, since Democrats will control Congress and Rangel heads a powerful committee.

"He is thinking that in the absence of a draft, it's mostly the poor and minorities who end up in the military doing the country's fighting," said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University. "He thinks there's merit of having more of a broader cross-section of people fighting the battles.
"And if more wealthy, comfortable people's sons and daughters were exposed to (war) ... the elites of the country would be more careful about going to war."
Rangel's Presonal Site:http://rangel.house.gov/bio.shtml

I don't agree with a Draft either but at least this guy has some balls!

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2 comments:

Jeff Herz said...

I never really suspected that this would get any leverage or traction. Just Rangel shaking the trees and seeing if there is any low hanging fruit.

Silly politicians

Carol said...

Well the fruits do go pretty low! I liked his idea of the rich kids having to go though - we all know that will never happen though! Hell, I wish no one would go! The fact remains though we are there and now it is time to leave!

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