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It's called a draft, dragula.

Duh!  As if the draft hasn't been dodged before.  It's just a dumb idea, and it won't change a damn thing.

I don't know who this guy is "Rep"resenting, but I don't think it will pass the House. Many countries have mandatory service for X amount of months and then you are done, war or not. What do you think about that? I think our service time is longer, but I am not sure.

It's called a draft, dragula.

Duh!  As if the draft hasn't been dodged before.  It's just a dumb idea, and it won't change a damn thing.

Yes, but dodging the draft would still be illegal, and that alone will stop many people from dodging. Fear of getting caught would stop many of the others.

Unless daddy has enough money, then there is nothing to worry about.

A draft is a waste of taxpayers money, and offers no benefits over a volunteer only military.

Exactly! Rich people don't have to work hard and are therefore out of shape. The poor people have to work harder and are therefore in good shape. A draft therefore weeds out the flabby people and gets all the studs! (just kidding )

This is why I don't think democratic politicians are all that much better than republican ones...

If a Rep. were proposing this, the cries of "facist" and "nazis" would never cease.

If a Rep. were proposing this, the cries of "facist" and "nazis" would never cease.

That's because a Republican would be living up to Republican stereotypes, however, this Democrat is apart from the perceived norm. When these sorts of things become a general trend among Democrats and still nobody says anything about it, then the "Doublestandard Chorus" (which thinks its so clever around here) can stand up and sing. Until then, considering the responses and the responders posting in the thread so far, things seem about right.

The false stereotype that you help to perpetrate.

The false stereotype that you help to perpetrate.

Conservative tactic #1: When all else fails, change the topic.

In any case....

I don't see where I've helped to perpetuate it. But in the interest of self-fulfilling prophecies, I'd say that since 9/11 it's a stereotype that's well earned. The Office of Homeland Security, the Patriot Act, Operation TIPS, and more (not that the Dems have had the backbone to stand up to these things), plus the increasing volume of the increasingly acidic anti-liberal rhetoric of conservative pundits, all speak to the very definition of fascism.

How did I change the topic?  You stated:

That's because a Republican would be living up to Republican stereotypes

I replied:

The false stereotype that you help to perpetrate.

So, how was I changing the topic if I was replying to you?

This is a Dem. wanting mandatory military service, which is wrong, and would be wrong no matter what party was behind it.  There is a noticable lack of outcry from the usual lib. Dem. supporters, and I'm sure that if a Rep. was behind this then the outcry would be great.  Nothing to do with sterotypes.

If that guy thinks mandatory service will somehow make politicians more reluctant to start wars to "further US interests," he is really naive.

If a Rep. were proposing this, the cries of "facist" and "nazis" would never cease.

That's because a Republican would be living up to Republican stereotypes, however, this Democrat is apart from the perceived norm. When these sorts of things become a general trend among Democrats and still nobody says anything about it, then the "Doublestandard Chorus" (which thinks its so clever around here) can stand up and sing. Until then, considering the responses and the responders posting in the thread so far, things seem about right.

Don't neglect his motivation. It's the most important part of this issue.

Most Americans currently have a clinical view of war as something they watch on television news between the weather and the sports. We seem to have forgotten that, when we go to war we're basically throwing young Americans into a meat-grinder and hoping they come through it somewhat intact. We've become emotionally detached.

Rangel, as a veteran, wants Americans to truly understand the horrors of war. To do that, he's suggesting that everyone serve in the armed forces so we, as a nation, maintain an emotional investment in the conflict. By his logic, though flawed, having a mandatory draft will make Americans less prone to war-mongering, as the average family will actually have something to lose.

He's trying to "keep it real."

Conversely, had this been suggested by Donald Rumsfeld, man who views war as nothing more than a way to boost the economy, it would be perverse.

I'm not saying that Rangel's suggestion is correct or even feasible, but his heart is in the right place.

This is not such a farfetched or crazy idea as at least 2 countries I know of already have mandatory military service for all, Israel and Switzerland-and they don't discriminate against anyone in the fullfillment of this duty. Men, women, gay and straight, rich or poor-all are required to serve whether there's an ongoing conflict or not.

I worked with a guy from Switzerland (OK-so they're not exactly a world power except in finance) he said they did 3 months of boot camp at age 18 then were given their rifles (and live ammo) and sent back home for 18 months with another 5 years of "reserve" status after that. Can you imagine our college campus's with rifles and ammo in everyone's dorm room closets?

Israel seems to be doing OK with their mandatory military service (also accepts/requires all females and gays to participate)-I surely wouldn't want to be up against them in an armed conflict.

Hey, I'm 46 years (too) old-let's give it a try!

If a Rep. were proposing this, the cries of "facist" and "nazis" would never cease.

Actually a republcan did propose the same thing about 4 or 5 months ago...don't remember the name though.  Eitherway, both are just bad ideas.

Yes, they are.  However, the response to this proposal, or lack thereof, is telling.

If a Rep. were proposing this, the cries of "facist" and "nazis" would never cease.

Actually a republcan did propose the same thing about 4 or 5 months ago...don't remember the name though.  Eitherway, both are just bad ideas.

Yes, they are.  However, the response to this proposal, or lack thereof, is telling.

Telling of what?

Doesn't matter to me if they are democrat or republican, it' by far the dumbest idea I've heard in a long time.  Almost as dumb as socialized healthcare.

Is it dumb just because you might get caught in the draft?
Some people just need to get real and serve their Country.
JFK said just that. And for that I replay his inaugural speech (comes with iPod) every time I begin to lose direction.
Grow up you guise and smell the roses.