Even before assuming his powerful position as head of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., is letting everyone know he has the stump and he wants to be heard.
Sunday, during a session on CBS’s “Face The Nation,” Rangel said he will introduce legislation to reinstate the military draft.
"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," said Rep. Rangel.
Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War, has a very short memory of how the draft worked during the Vietnam era. Two names come to mind – Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. While Bush served in the Air National Guard, neither of these sons of the “privileged” members of society found their way to Vietnam.
Even the Center on Conscience and War fails to see the logic. The center's executive director, J. E. McNeil, said "There are usually two reasons for a draft," McNeil said. “One, people who believe that having a draft will keep us out of war. The reality is that the draft has never kept us out of war.”
Secondly, which goes to the heart of Rangel’s logic, “During Vietnam, not one single member of Congress had a child who was drafted, “McNeil said. “The reality is that the middle class and the upper middle class always have more options than the lower class in the face of the draft.”
Seven of 10 Americans have repeatedly said they oppose the draft. House Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi said Monday restoring the military draft will not be part of that agenda when Democrats take over the House in January.
Despite the lack of both the logic for such a measure even from anti-war activists and the lack of support of his own party, Rangel said he would introduce the measure early next year.
Why?
Last year, Rangel told voters that should he become a powerful committee chairman in a Democratic Congress, “I don’t want to be treated any differently than any other world leader.”
Pelosi defended Rangel saying he is “a strong voice for social justice in our country” and his support for the draft was “a way to make a point.”
And it would appear that point is – I’m the head of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee and I want everyone to know it.
The day after the Democrats swept both the House and the Senate, Pelosi said “Today the American people voted for change and they voted for Democrats to take their country in a new direction.”
We’re wondering if Rangel got that message.
Opinion
Rangel’s draft call is just breast beating
- Opinion
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White shouldn’t return to office
The issue: The conviction of Indiana’s secretary of state.
Our view: Charlie White’s ouster from office should be permanent.
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Editorial - Feb. 8, 2012: Grand success for Indianapolis
The issue: The Super Bowl.
Our view: Indianapolis left a great impression on thousands of visitors.
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Letters to the Editor: Feb. 8, 2012
As Hoosiers celebrate the conclusion of a truly remarkable Super Bowl experience, there is even more good news that should fill us with pride. More Indiana students are graduating from high school than ever before.
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Which religions will we include?
The Indiana Senate last week approved a bill that would allow public schools to teach creationism, as long as they include theories from multiple religions.
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If you say so
In an opinion piece we published Thursday, state Rep. Mike Karickhoff announced why he voted against “right-to-work” legislation. His reason: The community told him to.
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Cheers and jeers - Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012
Karickhoff acted ‘cowardly’
The Rev. Robin Wentworth Mayer and Horst G. Mayer of Kokomo send the Jeer for state Rep. Mike Karickhoff’s silence during the “right-to-work” debate:
“Mr. Karickhoff, for someone who’s new to office, you’ve certainly learned the art of talking out of both sides of your mouth.
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Let’s drug test our lawmakers
Perhaps it’s appropriate that a measure passed by the Indiana House this week would ask not only welfare recipients but Indiana lawmakers to consent to a drug test.
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Editorial - Feb. 2, 2012: Peru delivers a message
The issue: Peru’s collection of $20,000 last year from property owners who failed to keep their yards mowed.
Our view: Aggressive enforcement can help a city’s finances, but the benefits go beyond dollars and cents.
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Karickhoff: Reason behind my ‘right-to-work’ vote
There is no doubt the “right-to-work” debate has brought mixed emotions, not only to our state but District 30 as well. There were only a handful of House Republicans who did not vote in support of this legislation. Let me explain why I felt it was necessary for me to vote in opposition to right to work.
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Heinig: ‘Right-to-work’ law to arouse continued resistance
I wouldn’t call Gov. Mitch Daniels a charismatic leader, but he does possess some leadership skills. If he didn’t, he couldn’t have brought us this far along the happy trail to his economic Valhalla.
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