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November 06, 2006
Charlie Rangel On The Draft
Rangel calls again for the draft
What would the Democrats do if they take control of Congress? Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., offered his predictions to Sam Donaldson and Mark Halperin on ABC News Now's "Politics Live."
Rangel is currently the ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee. If Democrats pick up six seats in next week's crucial midterm elections and gain the majority, Rangel would become chairman of the committee.
Donaldson suggested that Democrats seem to be all over the lot on how to handle the war in Iraq. Rangel countered, "The Democrats believe we should withdraw. … This election is a referendum on the president, a referendum on the war. Once the pubic says that there is no place for a military victory, we have to find some way to take our young men and women out of harm's way."
If Democrats regain control, Rangel said the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, and the president will have to work with the Congress and the American people to "make certain that we get the heck on out of Iraq."
Rangel was careful when pressed on what the Democrats would do about taxes if they regain the leadership.
Some Republicans believe Rangel and the committee would undo the Bush administration's tax cuts that are set to expire in 2010.
"It doesn't make sense to be increasing people's taxes unless it's part of a bigger package," Rangel said, while refusing to pledge he would not raise taxes.
Instead, the possible future chairman of House Ways and Means diplomatically emphasized:
"I will not be the powerful chairman. For us to succeed, it's going to take Democrats, Republicans and the administration has to be cooperative."
Rangel reiterated his feeling that the military draft should be reinstated.
"I truly believe that if we had a draft system, we would never have our men and women in Iraq. Everyone wants to fight with someone else's children."
Rangel insisted that a new draft should be fair, with people from every part of society coming to a national public service.
Posted by Wild Thing at November 6, 2006 12:55 AM
Comments
The draft will never be fair as long as there are politicians or the wealthy who want to defer themselves or their offspring from the ravages of war. Politicians and draft board members can be bought. Go back to Ellis Island and the Kennedy clan from PJ to Patrick they have all maneuvered the system to avoid putting their asses in harms way, look at Kerry, he screwed his draft deferrment and was forced to enlist, with some political help he got a sweet safe assignment that changed in the theater of operations, he got his precious purple heats then got out. I only have to look at McNamara's 50000 to remember what it was like having someone that didn't want to serve, who wasn't mentally, physically or morally fit for duty that we had to put up with in a combat zone. No Charlie I don't want a draft to employ the misfits of this nation under some grand scheme that you have hatched, I baby sitted some of those assholes for a year, that was long enough. I want volunteers that are there because they believe and care, who will pull together and protect one another, not some band of misfits in forced servitude. Sorry Charlie!!!
Posted by: Jack at November 6, 2006 12:23 PM
Jack I agree and so does Nick. You said it great, thank you!
Posted by: Wild Thing at November 6, 2006 01:52 PM
Rangel is being cagey on the tax issue. He has already stated for the record that he favors repealing all of the Bush tax cuts. Apparently he's never heard of Internet memory.
Posted by: Cousin Dave at November 7, 2006 12:05 PM
