With Us, or Against Us.

Wall Street Journal ^ | March 21, 2003

[SanFranRepublican]

Rangel Opposes the Troops

Remember back in December, when Rep. Charles Rangel of New York proposed reinstating the draft? His stated rationale, as we noted, was egalitarian: "A disproportionate number of the poor and members of minority groups make up the enlisted ranks of the military," he told CNN. Forcing the affluent to serve would establish a principle of "shared sacrifice."

It turns out Rangel doesn't think very much of those who actually are making the sacrifice of serving in our volunteer military. This morning Rangel was one of only 11 House members to vote "no" on a nonbinding resolution "expressing the support and appreciation of the nation for the president and the members of the armed forces who are participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom." (The Senate -http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=1&vote=00061- unanimously approved a similar resolution yesterday.)

This was not a pro-war resolution, just a show of support for the troops. Along with Rangel, the following members, all Democrats, voted "no":

John Conyers (Mich.)

Mike Honda (Calif.)

Stephanie Tubbs Jones (Ohio)

Barbara Lee (Calif.)

Jim McDermott (Wash.)

Bobby Scott (Va.)

Fortney "Pete" Stark (Calif.)

Edolphus Towns (N.Y.)

Maxine Waters (Calif.)

Diane Watson (Calif.)

In addition, 21 Democrats, including presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, voted "present," which we guess means they can't decide if they're for or against America's troops. Also voting "present" was Republican Ron Paul, the isolationist feather of the GOP.

By our count, 23 members of the Congressional Black Caucus--a clear majority--voted either "no" or "present" on the resolution. This goes a long way in explaining why so few black candidates are able to win statewide office in America. Racial gerrymandering produces districts that elect black candidates who are so far to the left that they cannot even bring themselves to endorse a simple _expression of patriotism during wartime.

One encouraging sign: Denise Majette of Georgia and Artur Davis of Alabama both voted "yes." Both are black Democrats who defeated far-left anti-Semites (Cynthia McKinney and Earl Hillard, respectively) in primaries last year.

[SanFranRepublican]

after reading this, i was reminded of the President's post-9/11 remarks about supporting the fight against terrorism. hence, the title of this thread. i think it applies here. and perhaps these Democrats need to be advised accordingly.

[ambrose]

I believe that Ron Paul votes against ALL non-binding resolutions. He feels they're a waste of money since nothing is actually accomplished by them.

[concerned about politics]

Democrats never vote in favor of the American people.
Can't expect them to change their anti-American stand over something as simple as national security, you know.
Heck, their left wing anarchist minions are out helping to destroy the economy in major cities as we speak.

[dep]

breaking news?

dep

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

Wrangel is an overpaid bum who deserves no job more important than men's room attendent at the Waldorf.

[EGPWS]

Democrats never vote in favor of the American people.

That's the bottom line. CAP, thanks for bringing that issue out.

[WarSlut]

Wrangel is an overpaid bum who deserves no job more important than men's room attendent at the Waldorf.

The Waldorf is way too high class for Rangel. He should be emptying honeywagons in Cuba for a living.