Why are democrats in support of the draft ?

Question

What happened to the anti-war party ?
When in the past republicans supported the draft many liberals denounced it and were against it. Now I see that Liberals are for the draft just because someone from there own political background has proposed it.
I would expect this behavior from republicans and conservatives but it seems that the dems are just as fanatical and blind in there support of there party.

NY-D proposes reinstating the draft
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061119/ap_on_go_co/military_draft

From my personal observance and from living in a predominantly liberal community. Ive seen that many liberals here are in support of it.

Answer 1

Rangel does not really want to bring back the draft.

He is making a point about how this war is being fought primarily by people from low income backgrounds; that if there was a draft and everyone's kids were at risk the nation might think long and hard before going to war.

Answer 2

What Rep Rangel is trying to do is to try and define the war in both racial and economic terms. However, the facts do not support what he is saying. The all volunteer military is more highly educated and motivated than if it was a draftee army. In reality, the soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines that are serving today represent a large
cross section of our nation covering most socio-economic ranges.
According the report "Population Representation in the Military Services" which is for the Year 2000, the racial make up of armed services is fairly balanced in comparison with the civilian population. This includes both enlisted and commission members. The report does state that there is some balance differences when compared to the civilian populations but, the ratios are that African-Americans have a higher representation that civilian average and that Hispanics as well as other minorities are represented at less than the civilian average.
As for certain regions having a higher percentage of service over others, there is a historical and statistical trend for more folks from the south and south west serving in the U.S. military, than say folks from the Northeast.
While I think that maybe Robert Heinlein was right and that enfranchisement should come with government service, a draftee army would be a bad thing. My father, among others, have told me stories of the army in the early 1970's when the CQ(the guy who mans the phones and takes care of things during non-duty hours) and officers would have to go into the barracks armed for self protection.
So to sum up the whole thing, Rep. Rangel's rhetoric to bring back the draft to equal up the service and danger to everyone is just that rhetoric. There is a fairly equal representation of all races and classes within the military using volunteers. If certain groups are underrepresented, then they are the groups that have historically be underrepresented.

Answer 3

Democrats support the draft?

"Key Democats oppose renewing military draft" - Nov 20, 2006
http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2006-11-21T000717Z_01_N20280714_RTRUKOC_0_US-DRAFT.xml&WTmodLoc=NewsHome-C1-topNews-2

Your article only talks about one particular Democrat, Rep. Rangel, who supports the draft. His last proposal was defeated 402-2. Nice try, though. Why does Rangel support the draft? The answer is right there in your own article:

1. "the all-volunteer military disproportionately puts the burden of war on minorities and lower-income families."

2. "the military [is] being strained by its overseas commitments."

3. "this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq... 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"

Answer 4

Democrats do not really support the draft. This is really a justice issue from Charlie Rangel, he knows there are no votes for it. He does it only to point out that we are not properly represented in battle by all portions of the society, and it gives him a good soap box to needle Republicans from. Charlie is enjoying himself immensely on this one.

Answer 5

Funny. When the Foley scandal broke, all I could hear about was how his actions exemplified the republican party. Same situation here, except it's on the dems. Another case of dishing it out but not taking it.

Answer 6

Democrats wanted the draft because they want to continue the war in Iraq and declare the invasion of either Iran and North Korea.

Answer 7

Thats too much of a generalization, the republicans started this war and do not have the manpower to deal with it! THe war in Iran has nothing to do with 9/11 and the whole world knows it, ask our president why he allowed Saudi Arabia to supply the highjackers, keep Bin Ladden in $$, and we didnt do a damn thing to them

Answer 8

Typical Republican Lies.

No....there is only one Dem who's proposing this.

One Dem....and you want to call it an overwhelming majority?

You be wrong. Most Dems denounce it. Stop spreading crap

Answer 9

No they aren't. Just 'cause Rangel said so, the rest aren't agreeing with him
Stop spreading B.S..

Answer 10

What are you talking about?

You can't start a rant on a faulty premise and build on it.