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Rangel Still Wants to Draft You
By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 8, 2010
Modified Jul 8, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jul 8, 2010
Modified Jul 8, 2010
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Rep. Charles Rangel, who has repeatedly called for bringing back the draft, was at it again yesterday outside the military recruiting station in Times Square. Rangel believes Congress should stop funding the war and any further expenditure should go toward bringing the troops home. Spoke the Rangel:
I cannot challenge the president's handling of the war in Iraq, where he was left with few options after inheriting the conflict from the previous administration. I support his intentions to withdraw, but I'd like to see it happen sooner... Whether in Afghanistan, or any future conflict, the test is whether Congress — in supporting a war policy — is willing to require all eligible residents of this great country to make a contribution to put their own children at risk.
In other words, in order to fulfill one's moral responsibility to this democracy, anyone who supports this, or any war, should also support a compulsory military draft.
A draft would enlist Americans between the ages of 18 and 42, and according to Rangel it would affect a broader segment of society, reaching those Americans who "don't take any of this personally." Rangel, who is 80 years old and a decorated Korean War veteran, faces at least three challengers vying for his seat this year. Earlier this year he was stripped of his position as chairman of the House Ways and Means Commission after being investigated for ethics violations.
Tagged
afghanistan
charles rangel
draft
iraq
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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