Do you support or oppose this Congressman bringing back the military draft??

Question

CONGRESS.ORG WEEKLY UPDATE November 20, 2006

CONGRESSMAN: "BRING BACK THE DRAFT"

TELL PRES. BUSH AND CONGRESS WHAT YOU WOULD BE THANKFUL FOR

CONGRESSMAN CHARLES RANGEL PROPOSES MILITARY DRAFT
Incoming Ways and Means Committee Chairman Rep. Charles Rangel proposes reinstating the military draft for everyone over 18 to bolster troop levels and deter Congress from getting into further wars. Write to Congress and President Bush to share your views. We will tabulate the views daily and display them on Congress.org.
I Support Bringing Back the Draft
I Oppose Bringing Back the Draft

Answer 1

I'm not a fan of the draft, but I do like the part of his bill about a mandatory 2 year service period for everyone. According to his proposal, you could do your two years in the military, mentoring youth, and stuff like that. That's actually a pretty good idea, but it'll never pass.

Answer 2

I think it would have a huge effect on American families. First off I think more people would take an interest in politics and also turn out to vote. They know that they would be voting for their children's lives. I would assume given that women are now in combat positions that both young men and women would both be subject to the draft. I would also think that the children themselves that are drafted would have to be a lot more mature a lot earlier than they are now. Young people today can be very spoiled and immature right up into their 30s. If they had to go into the military at 18 and be under its rule and discipline for four years or whatever we might have a lot more adults who are more grown up than we have now. Also I think young people would be less obese and more physically fit than what we have now. I actually think it would benefit the whole country if we brought back the draft and made it mandatory for both males and females. I also think that if you serve in the military your education ie university should be free. That would be a big perk for a lot of kids who cannot afford their education otherwise. I think too that we should not allow females to get out of serving just because they get themselves pregnant to avoid the draft.

Answer 3

I don't support bringing back the draft, unless it is in the event of a major conflict, as in World War 2. But I understand Rep. Rangel's point in calling for a draft, and he makes a good case and food for thought.

Answer 4

Just to let the US know, in Europe everyone does military stuff or community service!! So the draft is normal in Europe! I support the draft but I know there going to isolate Chairman Rep. Charles Rangel .

Answer 5

Both.

I support a mandatory service obligation for all citizens after high school in either military or other approved social assistance organization. It would benefit everyone involved. To that extent I support the draft, however this system should only be put in effect during peacetime to assure it is done for the right reasons and to avoid controversy.

The current proposal to draft, at this time of war, I oppose. It is designed to supply fresh meat into the sausage grinder. Does anyone remember Vietnam? We need to to reduce our presence in the Middle East, not increase it because we will never win this way.

Answer 6

I oppose the draft. Probably most people who are in the military oppose the draft. I think they would want somebody fighting alongside of them who WANTS to be there, not FORCED to be there. notyou311....where does all this "only the poor" fight wars come from? I LOVE how people just mindlessly repeat what they hear others say without using their own brains to find out information for themselves. This is a VOLUNTARY military today, the way it SHOULD be, and people are enlisting VOLUNTARILY and RE-enlisting in record numbers. They do this because they BELIEVE in service to their country. Thank God for them all. I am sick of hearing how they all come from poor backgrounds and are uneducated.....we heard the same thing about those who were drafted years ago.. Might be a good thing if Americans stopped fighting EACH OTHER and started to think for themselves too!

Answer 7

He is just trying to make a point. If the Repubs like McCain want to continue the war and even expand it, where will they get enough troops? If there is a draft, there will be huge protests and the Repubs know it. So Rangel is calling their bluff and telling them to reinstate the draft for their longer bigger war. Why should only the poor fight their wars? Where are the children of congressmen and the Bush twins?

Answer 8

This was a political ploy actually the bill was voted down 402-2 and Rangle voted against it.
The Bill was first brought up in 2003 before the war. Rangle knows that most Americans will not get involved in the politics of their nation unless forced to. His Idea here was that if everyones child had a chance of being drafted and going to war and being in Harms way then people would sit up and take notice of what was going on, actually quite brilliant.

Answer 9

Fact is, we have a draft that can be used under certain conditions, but not a massive draft. I'm too old too be drafted under the current rules. As for whether I oppose or support one. I oppose it. Even if not only into the military, conscription will inevitably foster resentment, even the concept is divisive. People don't like being forced into service.

Answer 10

I oppose bringing back the draft - just like I opposed the draft in 1968.