McDermott Co-Sponsors Legislation to Reinstate the Draft (Democrats, not Republicans!)

United States Congressman Jim McDermott, Democrat - Washington State ^ | January 2003 | Jim McDermott

[Enduring Freedom]

McDermott Co-Sponsors Legislation to Reinstate the Draft

January 7, 2003 - For Immediate Release

Washington, DC-- Congressman Jim McDermott (Democrat) has announced his co-sponsorship of Congressman Charles Rangel's (Democrat) legislation to reinstate the military draft and other forms of national service. The bill would require Americans between 18 and 26 to serve two years in the military or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security.

The bill, HR 163, is intended to ensure that the burden of military service is not borne disproportionately by the poor and numbers of minority groups.

Congressman McDermott commented that "I believe that if those who are pushing for war knew that their children might be required to share the burden of that war, there might be a greater willingness to work toward peace and a diplomatic solution. If, despite our best efforts, we end up in armed conflict, then fairness dictates that the sons and daughters of all classes participate."

" I am pleased to be an original co-sponsor of Congressman Rangel's bill, McDermott continued. " If we need to re-instate the draft in order to make the Administration consider the chilling consequences of war, so be it. I hope this will make them realize how important a diplomatic solution really is. "

In underscoring the need for broad public discussion about committing troops to conflict, McDermott reiterated his view that it is time to consider a period of compulsory service for every young person in our country. "The draft ended thirty years ago, and since then the sense of obligation as the price of citizenship has faded," he said. I agree with Congressman Rangel that we need to find ways to share the sacrifices associated with committing our country to war, whether it's a campaign against illiteracy, poverty, hunger, or terrorism."

Congressman McDermott served as a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps at the Long Beach Naval Station in California from 1968 to 1970. Congressman Rangel served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1948 to 1952.

[Meldrim]

There is absolutely no need to draft anybody's daughter. There are more than enough sons to "raise armies" enough for our constitutional requirements.

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

Yes, he certainly is full of it.

Having voluntary armed services means that all classes can volunteer for service. There is no discrimination. If a family works hard and they want to send their children to college and pursue non military careers, so be it. And thank G-- they have the opportunity and good fortune.

If, however, a family is in such dire straits that military service opens many doors for them, how can the Dims complain about that? I know plenty of people who were raised with very limited opportunities, who joined the military, and, as a result, THEY became fortunate enough to be able to allow their children to choose different careers.

These Dims act as though those who volunteer have no choice whatsoever. They also seem to think that joining = injury or death. We have been extremely fortunate in the limited numbers of both in our recent conflicts. We have also been extremely fortunate that we have had so few armed conflicts.

Doesn't this action of McDermott fly in the face of their mantra "you cannot simultaneously prepare for peace and for war"? Doesn't his signing, by their logic, doom us to attacks by our enemies by threatening them with this action.

[American Sovereignty Defender]

Hoax alert! I suggest we start an email campaign to counter a phony email that is circulating. Anyone know how to acquire addresses? Perhaps intercept and 'reply all' to every one of these (phony) emails that happened to be forwarded?

The phony email warns that Bush is behind reinstating a draft. We all know it is a trick to fool the gulible and politically ignorant/brainwashed, especially those in college. Many college students have already received the bogus email. The email is just another political dirty trick that intends to scare them to the polls to vote against Bush by voting for Kerry.