This is done in Israel. My friend lived in the US and called upon herself to serve herself in Israel.
Barbara Sherman
Legal Aid Society
New York City |
Rich politicians and corporate executives will always find the way to keep their siblings from military service. As usual, it will mostly be the minority members who will be most adversely affected. Ismael Rosa
Paralegal
Legal Aid Society
New York City |
I agree completely. If instituted, the draft would involve the entire country on a much more personal level, including our elected members of Congress whose sons and daughters would then be directly affected by their decision regarding American involvement in a war. Joanna Marusceac
Senior manager
1199SEIU National Benefit and Pension Funds
New York City |
I feel that drafting someone is not right. I believe that it's an individual right to serve in the forces if he/she chooses to. Roy Naipaul
Social worker
Flushing Hospital Medical Center
Queens, NY |
This administration has totally destroyed our military system and has made us enemies to every nation in the world. We are hated by everyone, and our young men--sons, fathers, husbands, neighbors--have suffered major losses at the hands of the Bush administration. Over 3,000 killed and mounting, and thousands maimed and will never recover--and now Senator McCain is saying we have to send more of our young men to die. In reality, Rangel only took the lead of what this administration is going do anyway, because we have no military backup anymore and the young men now are not going to volunteer because their lives are not given any value. Carol Thompson
Shorefront Jewish retiree
Warner Robins, Georgia |
I am against the reinstatement of the draft. The rich will figure a way out of it, like George Bush did, and the draft will be for poor and working people. Poor and working people need good jobs, health care and education here, not wars that benefit oil companies abroad. Bill Almy
Social worker
Boston Medical Center
Somerville, MA |
Reinstituting the military draft would be a disaster. Rep. Rangel may have good intentions in trying to make a point about inequality and how youth of color and with low incomes are pressured by economic necessity to join up to kill and be killed. But the draft is the worst possible answer. It will not end inequality. We had the draft during Vietnam, and the rich (like Bush) found ways to get out or get safe, stateside placement. And the militarists are looking to expand the war in Iraq to Iran or Venezuela or elsewhere. They can't do it now because they don't have enough troops available. The answer is to stop the wars, interventions, and militarism that destroy the lives of our sisters and brothers overseas and rob people here of the health care, education and other social services and, for some, their lives and limbs.
Hillel Cohen
Researcher
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
The Bronx, NY
|
I feel that this is a catch 22. It is a good idea because all those who never attended a Veterans Day parade, or who say things like, “I would never raise my right hand,” will finally have to give something back to this country. Especially the rich who have exploited the poor for centuries. But it's a bad idea for those who have served and have been honorably discharged to have to fight again under mandatory conditions. Haven't we learned our history lesson from Vietnam? A draft is not the way to go because the VA is not fully funded to handle Iraqi vets returning home. How will they ever be able to care for the whole nation? Not every soldier has health insurance that will be accepted at any hospital outside the VA. So if the VA is overloaded and can't take any more soldiers, where would soldiers who only have tri-care be able to go for medical attention?
Juan Alonzo
Paralegal
Legal Aid Society
New York City
|
I have a daughter in the Air Force. It is bad enough to put young men and women in harm’s way. No mother wants her children to go to war. Please bring the rest of the soldiers home
Sylvia Simpson
Nurse assistant
The New Mayfair Care Center
Freeport, NY
|
I don’t believe in the draft or war. Right now, it's the war in Iraq, and the senseless killing of Americans. I will not let my child go. I lived during the Vietnam War. My friends and family were there. Some died and others came home half crazy, or on drugs. All of us should live in peace. Lotsa love
Celeste Weston
Admitting interviewer
Long Island College Hospital
Brooklyn, NY
|
The armed services are a good place to start for our young black and Latinos, whether voluntary or involuntary. The only thing I'm worried about is: will this draft be fair across the board or will it be mostly our minority youths on the draft list. Peter Jones
Unit clerk
Lenox Hill Hospital
New York City |
I wholeheartedly agree that all Americans should serve their country. The children get off for Veterans Day, so let's make them veterans. Just 2-3 years enlistment can make better citizens out of our children and teach them what they only read about in school--sacrifices made by our forefathers. And who knows, maybe we can even get them out to the polls on Election Day and help decide where our country should be heading. However, I want every person in the political arena to prove that their children are serving or has served our country. Let the war correspondents and photojournalists provide the proof and send it back for all of America to see in the media. I am proud to say I am a veteran and am married a veteran! We put our Country on our prayer list right along with all our friends who are ill and failing. God Bless America - and may our future be made stronger by reinstituting the draft!
Sharon Martelack
Secretary
Southside Hospital
Bay Shore, NY
|
No. We need to bring our troops home.
Sonia Marroquin
Recertification specialist
Beth Abraham Family of Health Services
The Bronx, NY
|
I think that's a terrible idea. We need to stop the war, not draft people.
Diane Feinerman
Retired
Fairhaven, MA
|
Rangel may be correct. Share the burden among all the eligible young. No deferments. This may prevent future wars.
Larry Gonzales
Retired lab tech
The Bronx, NY
|
I think that the far-reaching effects of a military draft would leave those that have the least in our society the most vulnerable. In addition, a miltary draft would further compound the already existng war on middle class Americans today. The middle class and the working poor would be the ones that would have to bear the brunt of this unjustified war, making the rich richer and the most powerful even more powerful. I say an absolute no to conscription! Long live middle class America!
Patrick Sullivan
CVPH Medical Center
Plattsburgh, NY
|
With all due respect, Rep. Charles Rangel, I think your idea to reinstitute the military draft is way out of time. It is irresponsible for you to be calling for such just because you were a product of the draft back in your epoch. Your rationale is that every able-bodied young man and woman with no deferments should be prepared to go to war against our own will. That this should be used as a deterrent, so people in Washington D. C. like yourself think twice before creating a war. Do you know that the only deterrent is peace? That no one wins in a war: we all lose. Sir Winston Churchill once said, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. Therefore, Mr. Rangel, if your wish comes true, you will only be the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events. You should be seeking peace. It is peace we want, not war, and the only deterrent for a war is not to start a war. I have one question for you, sir: Are your children and children’s children eligible for this vision of yours as to how to prevent a war?
Ramon Santos
Social worker
Beth Abraham
The Bronx, NY
|
Yes, I agree with Mr. Rangel to reinstitute the draft because it is only fair that all men and women are treated equally--black, white, poor or rich. If we look at the way the military recruit, they are in the poor communities looking for Black, Hispanic, Mexican and poor white people. Stephen Jones
PCA
Long Island Jewish Medical Center
New Hyde Park, NY |
I disagree with Congressman Rangel. As in past wars, the rich, the famous and the politically connected were able to dodge the draft. No one stopped them, and no one will stop them now. By the way, does he have grandchildren or any one from his immediate family who might serve or has served in the armed forces? Lynnea Barnett
RN
North Shore University Hospital-Forest Hills
Queens, NY |
A real draft would certainly eliminate the current racist, classist "poverty draft". But I think the real goal should be for the U.S. to withdraw from Iraq as soon as possible. Jean Weille
Social worker
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, NY |
I strongly agree with the draft being brought back, because every able Americian will be able to be drafted and not only the kids from the poor neighborhoods. Agatha Springer
CNA
Crown nursing & Rehab.
Brooklyn, NY |
The draft should be brought back. People who have no commitment to the cause are allowing their representatives to vote for billions in unaccountable spending for these conflicts. I have a daughter who is a flight surgeon with the 25th infantry and a son who is a navy engineer and both have been rocketed in Bagram and caught in ambushes in Afghanistan and Iraq. They'll tell you the money isn't going to the troops in the field. Draft everyone and maybe then people will look at what conflict really costs and whether it is worth it. Michael Dunford
LPN (and Vietnam infantry vet)
Montefiore Medical Center
The Bronx, NY |
I am a Vietnam vet and I am against the draft. Let’s get out of all foreign conflicts, bring the troops home, and take care of all the people in this country first. The money saved should be put to education, free meds, and housing for our working poor.
Ira Kirschner
Blood bank tech
Maimonides Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY
|
Charles Rangel is doing the hustle. Shame on him. I have family and friends in the military and they are proud of what they do. They went into the armed forces knowing there is always the possibility of war. My son has had no contact with recruiters and he has clearly expressed his desire to serve his country. The draft is for severe emergencies. Mr. Rangel is discrediting our fine young men and woman. Shame!
Deborah Kippel
RN
Orange Regional Medical Center
Middletown, NY
|
I agree with Mr. Rangel up to a point. If a war is declared by the government, no one should be exempt because of connections. However, I truly believe that war is never necessary. It never improves anything. We have to learn to live in a civil and positive way.
Ursula S. Albano
Retired lab tech
North Shore Hospital-Forest Hills
Woodside, NY
|
I disagree. Why? I feel that joining the military should be a voluntary decision of each American citizen. When a person is drafted to do a duty that they do not believe in because of religion or any other reason, we no longer can call America a place of freedom to choose between right and wrong. Mr. Rangel, please concentrate on initiating peace instead of presenting to us with a pessimistic view of the future.
Neva Hernandez
Administrative assistant
1199SEIU National Benefit Fund
New York City
|
I agree with the draft proposition, but not for regular law-abiding citizens. I propose they implement the draft for those folks with criminal records, especially repeat offenders of petty and large crimes.
Alfredo Marks
Data processing
Visiting Nurse Service
New York City
|
Yes, I think that everyone should be required to serve in the armed forces, men and women, regardless of who they are or where thy come from. No exceptions at all.
Joseph Miller
Retired
Brooklyn,NY
|
I agree with Mr. Rangel. What we’re doing is not working. Anthony Quinones
Registrar
Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center
The Bronx, NY |
It's a bad idea, because at least with a voluntary army, if people disagree with the war, they don't have to join. History has shown that those in power will find a way to get out of the draft anyway, so it won't have any meaningful effect in that direction.
Daniel Verinder
Researcher
1199SEIU
Boston
|
In a way, Charles Rangel is correct about bringing back the military draft! I mean, it's always poor people that are pushed into joining the military for mostly economic reasons. Will President Bush send his two little loose, drunken tramps (Jenna and Barbara) to go fight somewhere overseas?
Karen Black
Home attendant
Premier Homecare
Brooklyn, NY
|
I request that Congressman Rangel put his energy into bringing home the troops that are already in Iraq, not enact a law to send more troops, no matter who they are. Peace is not punitive.
Sharon Wilson
Teacher
Creative Learning Center
New York City
|
Yes, I do agree for the reasons Rep. Rangel gives. I also believe the draft should include women. I am not a pacifist but this would help cut down on the number of wars.
Shirley Ranz
Retired pharmacist
Brooklyn, NY
|
I disagree wholeheartedly! It is bad enough that we allow 17-year-old children to join the military, yet tell them they are not mature enough to drink until they are 21. But to institute a draft. Bizarre! Charles Rangel is a disrespectful, pompous ass. It truly dumbfounds me that he is able to hold the position he does. All one has to do is truly listen to his ranting on TV and radio to know he is not worth listening to. Another that just seems to want the spotlight! Kathleen Levesque
Nurse aide
Putnam Hospital
Carmel, NY |
I disagree for the simple reason that all of the politicians’ children will not go to serve in the war. Somehow they manage to elude the requirement to serve their country. But the working class and the poor--their children have no choice. Wanda Soto
Secretary
St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center School of Nursing
Fresh Meadows, NY |
