Charles Rangel calls to reinstate the draft before committing military to Syria
New York representative Charles Rangel, a long time proponent of military conscription, said over the weekend that he wants the Congress to pass a national draft act before deciding on Syria.
During Saturday’s airing of MSNBCs Weekends with Alex Witt, the veteran Congressman said, “There’s no evidence that what’s happening in Syria is a threat to our National Security.”
Rangel said that if a vote were taken today, he would vote against authorizing military action. He called for Congress to pass a national draft act before deciding on Syria, Rangel said such a vote would force members to vote on war knowing it would have implications for the entire country.
This come one day after he made this official statement:
“I strongly abhor and condemn the news that chemical weapons were reportedly used by the government of Syria. However, I strongly urge the President to seek an affirmative decision of Congress prior to committing any U.S. military engagement to this complex crisis.
Before we commit our military personnel to another war, we must reinstate the draft. Reinstating the draft and requiring women to register for the Selective Service would compel the American public to have a stake in the wars we fight as a nation. We must question why and how we go to war, and who decides to send our men and women into harm’s way.
Military engagement should be our last resort. If we must go to war, every American should be compelled to stop and think twice about whether it is worth sending our brothers and sisters, and sons and daughters to fight. Currently less than one percent of America’s population is unfairly shouldering the burden of war.”
Rangel has been consistent on this matter over the years.
He made the following statements in 2006:
“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.”
“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.”
[…] Charles Rangel calls to reinstate the draft before committing military to Syria (theglobaldispatch.com) […]
Wow, I’ve never heard such B.S.
“would compel the American public to have a stake in the wars we fight as a nation. We must question why and how we go to war, and who decides to send our men and women into harm’s way.
I’ve seen polls where 83% of Americans believe we should not attack Syria already. Nobody needs a draft to question why and how we go to war. Nobody in this country wants war in the first place.
I believe that the Gov is planning on a much larger conflict and might have to instate a draft with “boots on the ground”.
I don’t want any part of this corrupt war created by these corrupt politicians. None of these con men have my allegiance. If they want such a war they can spill their own blood.
[…] Charles Rangel calls to reinstate the draft before committing military to Syria (theglobaldispatch.com) […]
[…] Politico Charles Rangel calls to reinstate the draft before committing military to Syria The Global Dispatch New York representative Charles Rangel, a long time proponent of military conscription, said over the weekend that he wants the Congress to… […]
I agree and have believed this for a long time. Prior to 1973, most members of congress had served in some capacity in the military. Many had come from mid-to-upper class families, had excellent educations either prior to serving or subsequent thereto. Now it is simply a “job” for young men and women of very modest means, and less than adequate educations, while the people sitting in Congress such as Rand Paul or any of his tea party buddies, see only dollar signs for the military industrial complex, rather than seeing the lives that may be lost. They don’t feel the pain they should feel because they are so far removed from it. I doubt that with the exception of the few such as McCain or Kerry who did serve, they don’t even know anyone who has served in Iraq or Afghanistan.
The inequities from doing away with the draft are numerous, and as is true in so many areas of life in America today, it is the people with the least means who are depended upon to carry the burden for the “upper crust.”