This goes back to an idea I floated on a forum node that discussed why there is not a mass upheaval in the public square. As was posited by Bill Harding – and I supported – there are not enough body bags coming out of Iraq and currently we do not have a draft. My point at the time was in Vietnam, we had throngs of protests because people did not have a choice, there was a draft in place, – and the choice to participate (get your ass shot off) was not available to those of draft age. Today, all circular arguments aside as to why we are in Iraq, the soldiers are there of their own free volition.
I hypothesized the idea that a reverse psychology plan to bring the American people to their collective feet would work:
Impose a mandatory draft and watch mass demonstrations, work stoppages, sit-ins, and mass protests ensue immediately to demand we leave Iraq. In other words, once Bush’s war impacts all families and young men and women on a grand scale and leaves them without choice, the opposition to the war would be more than a “November vote” and a lot of arm-chair quarterbacking.
Enter Chuck Rangel's (D-NY) proposal and why:
WASHINGTON - Americans would have to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 under a bill the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee says he will introduce next year.
Rep. Charles Rangel, said Sunday he sees his idea as a way to deter politicians from launching wars. 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," Rangel said.
[emphasis added]
I know many may disagree, but I believe that Rangel is right. Just the introduction of legislation to re-instate the draft -- which brings this depraved, immoral war – right into the living rooms and dinner tables of every American and every parent of a child between the ages of 18-26 would trumpet the final rubuke of Bush and his war of choice. Enact this proposal and see just how many shrill conservative pundits, Bush apologists, and neocon chickenhawks-Bush-supporters run for cover and start to demand an immediate withdrawal of our troops from the middle of this lawless, sectarian Civil war that WE caused.
Take away the words “choice” and “voluntary”, replace them with “required” and “mandatory”, and see how many pre-emptive wars we start again. My bet is none.
