Americans and Their Military: The Case for Bringing Back the Draft
Charles Rangel of New York has been in the news for two reasons in recent years. First, for allegations of corruption concerning a Puerto Rico vacation spot, a story that gave readers of the New York City tabloids an indelible snapshot of a dozing Rangel at the beach. Second, he is in a difficult primary battle in his district.
He should be better known for a piece of legislation he has sponsored in several different sessions of Congress, never to any avail. Known as H.R. 5741, it would essentially reinstate a service draft for Americans from the ages of 21 to 42, thus ending the all-volunteer military force that has fought our wars for us since the latter years of Vietnam.
It is Memorial Day, the best of moments to weigh how well — or how poorly — we apportion the military burdens of defending American interests.
