Re-Instate the Draft

RANGEL: RE-INSTATE THE DRAFT
>From The Hill: “Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) is re-introducing legislation that would reinstate a military draft in the U.S. and impose a “war tax” so that Americans “feel the burden” of ongoing military operations against Islamic militants. "Armed conflict is unpredictable, chaotic, and costly. When I served, the entire nation shared the sacrifices through the draft and increased taxes. But today, only a fraction of America shoulders the burden. If war is truly necessary, we must all come together to support and defend our nation," Rangel, who served in the Army, said Thursday in a statement. "As a Korean War veteran, I know the toll war takes." His Draft Act would open the draft to women and require everyone between the ages 18 to 25 to register for the Selective Service System. It also calls for the reinstatement of a lottery to draft them into the military whenever an authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or declaration of war is in effect.” http://goo.gl/wL5AAh

I see some room for devious things to happen, probably predicated on my personal distrust of Rangel, and I also see some ideas and issues that our nation needs to give open thought to.

Example, the "War Tax"; It would be in effect whenever an AUMF is in effect, whether there was an actual need at that moment or not. I could possibly favor the War Tax if we actually declared war, which has not happened since December 8, 1941, but I do not favor an open ended tax for "AUMF". The government could easily maintain an open AUMF against terrorism but not field the forces the tax is supposed to support. You and I will pay whether it is needed or not.

I disagree that, "when I served", (as he said) that the entire Nation shared the sacrifice. Yes there was a draft, Viet Nam also, but the cost was not born by specific "war taxes" it was an expense that was borne by budgetary dollars (dollars that likely did not exist in the budget).

The mandatory Selective Service registration may not be a bad idea. If it required everyone with a social security number to register it might separate the wheat from the chaff a bit. I think requiring females to register would be interesting, it might be fun to watch the backlash!