Politics & Government - 14 January 2007

If this 21,000 troop surge by the President does not work and he somehow widens the war due to fighting with Syrians and Iranians on the border---how will history see Bush, especially to Republicans....I grant you that if his plans work this year, he will be seen in a much better light. But if Iraq does not become stable this year, Congress will not fund it enough to be worthwhile to stay. I am trying to non-partisan. If this whole Iraq effort did nothing other than put a noose around Saddam's neck, where is the payoff for America...How will you feel as a Conservative or a Republican if after 5 years of occupation nothing had been accomplished. My position is that the people of the US have given Bush the benefit of the doubt and we have nothing to show for trusting him...tell me I'm wrong

2007-01-14 03:55:35 · 2 answers · asked by Ford Prefect 7 in Politics

Everyone's quick judgement against America's initial actions in Iraq and against al qaeda makes it seem like we have a long record of attacking peaceful countries. Sort of like Iraq did to Kuwait, and Germany did to Europe. And Sadaam's attack on Kurds and Iran. Oh and bombing Israel during the first gulf war.

2007-01-14 03:53:39 · 17 answers · asked by ? 6 in Other - Politics & Government

...the politician and potential President.....I really love his southern drawl and think he has a good chance of winning....i think he's trustworthy and would be a good candidate for Office...your thoughts...

2007-01-14 03:53:19 · 9 answers · asked by Vox Populi Vox Dei 2 in Politics

WSWS : News & Analysis : North America
Democratic Congressman reintroduces bill for military draft in US
By Joe Kay
12 January 2007



Charles Rangel, the Democratic chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, reintroduced a bill on Thursday that would institute a military draft for all legal residents of the United States between the ages of 18 and 42.

In his press release announcing the move, Rangel—a liberal Democrat who claims to oppose the war in Iraq—made clear that the central motivation for the bill is to alleviate the strains on the military, which will be further overextended as Bush moves to increase the number of troops in Iraq. A draft would also provide sufficient cannon fodder to use in Iran, Somalia, North Korea or any other country the United States decides to invade.

“The military is at the breaking point with more than 50 percent of our combat troops already deployed in Iraq,” Rangel said. “The question is: where will the additional troops—including those that may follow if the war is escalated further—come from?” He noted that many of the 21,000 additional troops that Bush is ordering to Iraq “are already on the ground in Iraq and will have their deployments extended. Almost 250,000 of the troops currently deployed in Iraq have served more than one tour, and some have been deployed as many as six times.”

Not only is the Bush administration escalating the occupation of Iraq, it is also increasing the threat of military action against Iran, while launching air strikes against Somalia Rangel pointed to these tendencies in November 2006, shortly after the midterm elections, when he said on CBS’s “Face the Nation, “If we’re going to challenge Iran and challenge North Korea . . . we can’t do that without a draft.”

Notably absent from Rangel’s press release announcing the move was any suggestion that the bill is intended primarily to deter further military action or the deployment of additional troops in Iraq This is a rationale that Rangel has advanced in the past, suggesting that politicians would not launch wars if the sons and daughters of the wealthy would be subject to conscription.

Rangel claims to be opposed to the war in Iraq, as well as the plan to introduce more troops. He is attempting to justify his draft bill by couching it in the language of “equality of sacrifice.” The draft is necessary, he wrote in his press release on Thursday, because “if Americans are to be placed in harm’s way, all of us, from every income group and position in society, must share the burden of war.”

Indeed, Rangel’s bill would require that a significant portion of the population take up this “burden of war.” Not only is he calling for a draft of all residents between 18 and 42—an age range that far exceeds previous drafts and would include immigrants as well as US citizens, women as well as men—but his bill would also deny all deferments for college students. This is the product of the recognition that a large proportion of young people of military age are attending college or university.

If such a measure were actually put into law, it would mean something on the order of 100 million people subject to conscription. Rangel’s bill provides that those not selected for the military would be required to carry out some other form of “service,” such as policing or border patrol.

The various demagogic arguments for the draft advanced by Rangel at one point or another are merely covers for policy the aim of which would be to provide more cannon fodder for present and future wars waged by the American ruling elite.

A real campaign against the occupation of Iraq would take the form of a demand for the withdrawal of US troops. This demand has not been raised by the leadership of the Democratic Party because whatever tactical disagreements they have with the Bush administration, they support the occupation of Iraq and the basic aims of American imperialism. The party leadership, which gained control of Congress on the basis of the enormous antiwar sentiment expressed in the November elections, immediately ruled out cutting off funding for military operations in Iraq.

The question of the draft is the subject of serious discussion within the political and military establishment, though this discussion is occurring largely behind the backs of the American people. When Rangel stated in November that he planned to reintroduce his bill as soon as the new Congress started, his position received prominent media coverage. This was a highly conscious move, intended as a trial balloon to gauge public reaction and prepare the population for the possibility of a draft.

It is the Democratic Party that has particularly been pushing for discussion on the reintroduction of military conscription. Calls for some form of “universal service” were ubiquitous in the policy documents of leading Democratic strategists during the lead-up to the November elections.

While there is enormous concern within the ruling elite over the potentially explosive domestic consequences of a draft, there is equally great concern over the deterioration of the military as a consequence of the protracted Iraq occupation. Volunteer recruitment is down as a result of public opposition to the war, and yet both the Democrats and Republicans enthusiastically support a permanent increase in the size of the military. The military has already been forced to relax its standards in order to meet its recruitment quotas.

The question of the draft will now become an issue for discussion within the political establishment, as it conspires new ways to force the American population to kill and be killed in the interests of the ruling elite.

2007-01-14 03:52:59 · 10 answers · asked by WORD UP G 1 in Military

Why is it that Indian Government staff don't treat the people as customers and service them in a friendly manner!!!

2007-01-14 03:51:55 · 5 answers · asked by Indian wizard 2 in Law & Ethics

The land of the free, home of the brave. Weve been the leading superpower for over a decade now. Does anyone else think we are the best theres been in history?

2007-01-14 03:51:53 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Politics & Government

I want to sue the city for medicating me without a license, or permission, by putting fluoride into my drinking water. Please help

2007-01-14 03:49:48 · 7 answers · asked by lefty dave 1 in Law & Ethics

We were just wondering, if he were to move here when we get married, would he have to get American or Dual citizenship? Or can he live here, in the States, without it? How does this work out? Also, what is the process for doing so?
And, can it work the other way? If I were to move to Canada, would I have to get Canadian citizenship or dual citizenship, or could I live there as an American?

Thanks in advance.

2007-01-14 03:49:32 · 9 answers · asked by forgottenapathetic 1 in Immigration

Why can't he be put on trial????? Should he be put on trial like Hussain, and sentenced to death??

2007-01-14 03:48:58 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics

10 question survey. Have to be qualified to vote. Either the Presidental election (BushVKerry) or the other recent one-(which idk.)

1. Voted? Why or Why Not?

2.Which Party?

3.Reasons behind choice. (atleast 3)

4.Did certain events or issues influence your vote?(scandals or issues like abortion, gay-marriage, )

5.What changes or improvements do you hope to see?(atleast 2)

6.What do you think of our voting system? Should it be mandatory?

7. What would you do if you were president?

8. Why do you think some people did not vote?

9. If you could would you change your vote?

10.What are some cons about the Party you voted for?


Please and thanks!!!
If you feel comfortable, leave your name and age, but if not, atleast leave a nick name. Also feel free to add any other comments you'd like me to include in your "interview". Try to explain as much as possible!

2007-01-14 03:46:15 · 7 answers · asked by Edesu 1 in Elections

He is known the world wide.
Many would consider him a world leader.
Most of the people in most of the countries
of the world do not like him.
He is deeply religious.
He strongly advocates for prayer in schools.
He thinks that the source of law is from God.
He believes that traditional values are the best.
Within his culture he is considered to be on a far edge politically.
Some consider him to be radical.
Some consider him to be a hero, saving
their worldview from outside attack.
He has vowed to destroy any foreign fighters
on what he considers "his" soil.
He believes that attacking those who
threaten to intrude on his "soil" before they do is good.
He has caused the death of thousands of
innocent civilians to achieve his aims.
His actions have caused others to vow war against
him and those he represents.
His actions are considered to be reckless
and ill considered by most.
He leads people in many nations.

2007-01-14 03:45:57 · 9 answers · asked by snarkysmug 4 in Politics

I am scheduled to take my ASVAB for OCS recruitment.
One problem is that, i have somewhat problem with my vocabulary.

2007-01-14 03:45:55 · 7 answers · asked by Dallas Cowboy 1 in Military

You can have your say & aren't limited to ticking a piece of paper every 4-5 years.

will sites like this curtail the power of party led politics? i think they may eventually/

2007-01-14 03:45:00 · 5 answers · asked by andylefty 3 in Other - Politics & Government

Bush believes that he has neverending wartime powers due to the "war on terror". Will Hillary be able to also declare a neverending war and have the same powers? That would be awesome considerind she would have one of the greatest ex-Presidents to consult her. Bill Clinton.

2007-01-14 03:43:15 · 10 answers · asked by Gemini 5 in Politics

Well don't be. Here is constitutional proof that the IRS is a fraud:

16th Amendment: The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.


Article I, Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

The Agency
The IRS is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury and one of the world's most efficient tax administrators. In 2004, the IRS collected more than $2 trillion in revenue and processed more than 224 million tax returns.
http://www.irs.gov/irs/article/0,,id=98141,00.html

31 U.S.C. section 301, reads as follows (in part):

§ 301. Department of the Treasury

(a) The Department of the Treasury is an executive department of the United States Government at the seat of the Government.

2007-01-14 03:42:48 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Other - Politics & Government

just same ole dead troop results with increased american mulsim hatred

2007-01-14 03:39:22 · 13 answers · asked by impeachbushnoww 1 in Politics

What do liberals and crooks have in common? They both want my money.

A crook will take my money at gunpoint. A liberal will take my money through taxes. Either way, I am missing my money!!!

2007-01-14 03:38:25 · 24 answers · asked by WJ 7 in Politics

I want to know what all can be brought after a person gets situated in prison. And how much is enough to last awhile.

2007-01-14 03:38:22 · 5 answers · asked by LaLa N 6 in Law & Ethics

The lie-based quagmire in Iraq has already cost $1 trillion and counting. The military is in tatters and stretched to the breaking point. The USA has lost credibility and allies and the enemies of democracy and freedom are on the rise. How can the USA ever recover from the mess that the Bush and the Republicans have created?

2007-01-14 03:38:15 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics

Or something in-between?

2007-01-14 03:37:31 · 25 answers · asked by Longhaired Freaky Person 4 in Politics

My husband is gone on his 2nd deployment I just can't get motivated to do anything. I work 5 to 6 days a week so my day off is the only time I have to clean or do anything else. anyone have any suggestions! Thanks

2007-01-14 03:36:49 · 12 answers · asked by woohoo25 2 in Military

or a fact nothing more can be done

2007-01-14 03:36:46 · 9 answers · asked by impeachbushnoww 1 in Politics

The reason I ask this is that after a while I believe all/most leaders lose touch with their electorate and the real world. Blair has always courted the rich and famous and as we know there has been the odd allegation of corruption. Do you think it would be a good idea to take on the USA system where their President can only serve two terms in office. I don't mean follow the US system of elections just copy the maximum of two terms for the PM

2007-01-14 03:34:26 · 15 answers · asked by Roaming free 5 in Government

2007-01-14 03:34:20 · 1 answers · asked by AnilK 1 in Government

the last death toll shows a large loss
and a civil war that needs to be won by a tribe
not troops

2007-01-14 03:32:39 · 13 answers · asked by impeachbushnoww 1 in Politics

2007-01-14 03:31:26 · 16 answers · asked by Beau Brummell 6 in Government

when black generally are more conservative than whites on that issue? As a result, gays flock to black run cities.

2007-01-14 03:30:26 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics

I love to hear from everyone that give me notice about him

2007-01-14 03:30:26 · 7 answers · asked by Sundra D 1 in Other - Politics & Government

2007-01-14 03:30:15 · 4 answers · asked by runlolarun 4 in Politics

Should the USA open up it's borders and ports and allow them all to enter our country? What do you think will happen to the USA in the next 25 years if we don't curtail all immigration now?
World poverty cannot be removed by importing it all to the USA. The USA would only become a poverty stricken country itself. The poor of the world must be helped in their own countries.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5871651411393887069

▪Cut immigraton back to 200,000 per year
▪Close our borders and strictly enforce our immigration laws
▪No amnesty
▪Deport illegals
▪Punish anyone hiring illegals
▪Take away the incentives to illegally enter the USA
▪Change/clarify our laws on "anchor babies"(must have at least one parent who is a legal USA citizen)
▪Reduce and monitor H1B and H2B visa recipients, punish/prosecute violators

2007-01-14 03:28:49 · 14 answers · asked by ? 4 in Immigration