Posted on 11/10/2006 1:56:04 PM PST by neverdem
On January 8th of 2003, Congressman Charles Rangel [D-NY] began an extensive campaign to bring back the military draft. He repeatedly submitted legislative bills to begin a military draft and compel all American men and women up to the age of forty-two to serve two years of military service. Under the Republican-controlled Congress, such bills went down to defeat.
One of the few notable supporters of the draft was Congressman John Murtha [D-PA]. Congressman Murtha reportedly is preparing to campaign to take over the highly influential position of House Majority Leader. Congressman Rangel is set to take over the House Ways and Means Committee. Two proponents of a military draft will most likely take over two key leadership positions in the new Democrat-contolled House. Surely they were not lying to America when they proposed a draft? They would not make such a serious proposal for a mere political cheap shot, would they?
As recently as last February of 2006, Rangel once again introduced draft legislation. In a press release he stated,
“Every day that the military option is on the table, as declared by the President in his State of the Union address, in Iran, North Korea, and Syria, reinstatement of the military draft is an option that must also be considered, whether we like it or not,” Congressman Rangel said. “If the military is already having trouble getting the recruits they need, what can we do to fill the ranks if the war spreads from Iraq to other countries? We may have no other choice but a draft.”
Congressman Rangel says that the requirements of continued war in Iraq would necessitate a draft. Thus it is important to determine whether the new democrat controlled congress will continue the fighting or change course and withdraw US forces from Iraq.
Now that the Democrats are in control of the House and the Senate, a review of their previous policy decisions on the Iraq war will be an important indicator of where the new Democrat Congressional leadership will take the direction of the war. Despite many promises among Democratic incumbents and Democrats to disengage in Iraq, in June of 2006 Senate Democrats overwhelmingly rejected a bill to lay a time table for troop withdrawal from Iraq.
The bill was written by Senator Kerry with only six Democrats voting for the withdrawal. It should also be noted that nearly half of the Congressional Democrats voted for the war in 2002. In late 2005, many Democrats in the House voted against proposals for both an immediate withdrawal and a time table. Considering recent history, the Democrats are unlikely to take a position of disengagement.
As such, it is possible that Congressman Rangel’s latest draft proposal will come up for consideration in the House. With Murtha riding heard over the Democrats, he may well push them to approve Rangel’s draft legislation submitted earlier this year. Rangel and Murtha both served in the military at time of war in Korea and Vietnam respectively. The draft was in effect at the time each man was in the military. Both have called for it publicly or submitted legislation. How long can it be until they get what they asked for now that they are in charge of the House?
According to a press release from the new Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) we can expect an escalation in fighting in Afghanistan. Congresswoman Pelosi said in a press release just a few weeks ago,
“President Bush’s failure to finish the job against terrorism in Afghanistan before launching his ill-advised invasion of Iraq has made the lives of the Afghan people more difficult and the American people less safe. The war against terrorism is in Afghanistan, and unless the President makes winning that war an immediate priority, the risks to the security of the United States will continue to grow.”
Clearly the new Speaker intends to increase troop strength in Afghanistan. She should find support in senior Senator John Kerry (D-MA) who stated in September of 2006,
“When did denying al-Qaida a terrorist stronghold in Afghanistan stop being an urgent American priority?” Kerry said. “How is it possible that we keep sending thousands of additional U.S. troops into the middle of a civil war in Iraq but we can’t find any more troops to send to Afghanistan?”
Since no Republican voted for the draft when it was submitted previously it is likely President Bush will veto the measure the next time it comes up for a vote. It does not seem likely that the Democrats will be able to overcome a veto despite the calls to expand the war in Afghanistan and refusals to approve withdrawal from Iraq.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the Democrats will bring to the table now what they called for under a Republican Congress.
Ray Robison is the proprietor of Ray Robison: Pointing Out the Obvious to the Oblivious, and an occasional contributor to American Thinker.
Ray Robison
I'll see you in two years, Nellie.
I have my doubts about that....but I would hope you are correct.
Robert A. Cook, PE gets the credit for that.
Geeze dude, chill out. It was just an idea.
Bring back Sparta.
Don't want to turn this into a "boys vs girls"thing. I regret not enlisting in the Air Force right after high school back a couple of deecades ago, and I'm a "girl". I would have had a good disciplinary background and probably been able to pursue medical career training. and I danged sure would have loved to have flown one of those awesome fighters.(my niece got to do this) Do not assume all us gals are wimps, or Rosie O'Donnell types.
See my post to Palehorse above.
It would be a good start to at least find a way for Americans to spend a little time overseas and see what life is like outside the US.
One of my sisters has lived in the UK for the past 30 years, and all her kids travel and have done time working for charity groups in Africa. Things like this are great for building awareness of the world and for appreciating what they have at home, and benefits everyone.
I'm tired of Americans complaining about how bad life is in the US when they can't even find other countries on a map, much less have the slightest clue as to what the alternatives are like.
I spent a summer in high school working on a cargo ship and spent a lot of time going between Morocco, Italy and Yugoslavia. It was a real wake up call to see life in these places, especially lessons learned from a guy arrested and tortured in Yugoslavia (he got drunk and fell asleep in someone's rowboat and was tortured for 2 months before his embassy got him out). People who say we live in a police state and all that crap just have no clue at all... but they still vote like they do.
Neither Murtha or Rangel have any credibility with me. This idea will go over with Moveon.org like a lead balloon. Personally, if we needed a draft, I have no problems.
So you think everyone should do some type of service and you are still young enough, so when are you going to volunteer?
The reason we are the most powerful country in the world is because we have the biggest and strongest economy in the world. Our resources are what allows us to have the greatest military in the world. Every person who works and produces in the private sector and who ultimately pays taxes is contributing a bunch to our country and our military effort. A draft would make us weaker because it would hurt our economy.
I currently do, at many places. How about you?
You'd have to repeal the 13th amendment.
It won't happen. Most in the military itself oppose the draft. Also, the cost of feeding and housing every man from 18 to 42 y/o would be so phenominal, it would break the bank. The nation can't afford such a thing.
Exactly. I cannot tell you how much it helped me to live almost 2 years overseas, in Colombia where my father was at the time. I NEVER, EVER realized how good I had it at home. It opened my eyes and to this day I still do things that help those in Colombia and that part of the world.
However, it is hard to explain to people who have never been to places like that and actually witnessed first hand the poverty, etc....it can only make you a better person and more thankful for what you have.
Not to mention many of us look bad in green, or in those desert fatigues for that matter.
"The north had a draft and won, WWI had a draft and 99% of the world knows we won, WWII had a draft and we damn sure won. You can't back up your incorrect statement by rewriting history."
What makes you think the draft was needed to win any of those wars? You don't believe people would fight for their own survival? Rangel was, is and will always be an idiot. When and if (it will never happen) a bill to reinstate the draft lands on W's desk, The correct response would be "After the "thumpin" we took in the election, I understand that the american people want this kind of change and I defer to the party in power". And then sign the thing.
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