S(89), I want YOU!!
by: Jeff Schmidtke
"It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every
other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of
18 and 26 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this
Act unless exempted under the provisions of this Act."
On January 7, 2003 Democratic Senator Ernest Hollings of South Carolina and Democrat Charles Rangel of New York introduced the following bill, which has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
S.98: To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes (Congress.org, 2003).
We have seen the existence of capitalism, globalization, consumerism, "mart"ism,
and now… militarization of our fee, I mean free, society. What will we
be preparing for? The need of a 10 million person military is required,
why? Perhaps, we will learn more about this after the election. For now,
here are the facts.
It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other
person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and
26 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this Act unless
exempted under the provisions of this Act. National services required under
the bill refer to either active or reserved uniformed services or in civilian
capacity that promotes national defense, including national or community
service and homeland security.
Through the highly reliable psychological and physical tests our military has perfected, individuals will be assigned to their appropriate service. Conscientious objection (one who claims, because of religious training and belief, cannot perform) surely will. Citizens may get a pass from combatant training, but cooking and cleaning are much needed services as well.
Actually, the only way out will be through deferments and postponements. High school students, who have reached the age of 18, are allowed to wait until graduation. If one ceases to pursue satisfactorily in such courses of study, or turn the age of 20, their service becomes required. Extreme hardship, physical or mental disability will buy you the only ticket home.
Registration of females, under the military selective service act, will be required. From the draft bills of past, a few key words have been amended: (1) By striking `male' both places it appears; (2) by inserting `or herself' after `himself'; and (3) by striking `he' and inserting `the person' (Congress.org, 2004).
Although Senator Rangel voted against the Congressional resolution giving the President authority to carry out the war in Iraq, he has had this to say on the matter of his draft bill. “As a combat veteran of the Korean conflict, I believe that if we are going to send our children to war, the governing principle must be that of shared sacrifice.... Yet the Congress that voted overwhelmingly to allow the use of force in Iraq includes only one member who has a child in the enlisted ranks of the military.... I believe that if those calling for war knew that their children were likely to be required to serve—and to be placed in harm's way—there would be more caution and a greater willingness to work with the international community in dealing with Iraq. A renewed draft will help bring a greater appreciation of the consequences of decisions to go to war” (Steinberg, 2003).
In a 2003 CNN article Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld opposes Rangel’s bill adding that, "We're not going to re-implement a draft. There is no need for it at all.” Rumsfeld continues by adding, "The disadvantages of using compulsion to bring into the armed forces the men and women needed are notable."
These arguments ostensibly give us a preview of the news to come. We will have those who support it, and those who oppose it. It will show an immense call to politics, and we have only congress to determine our fate.
One more general rule… Except as otherwise provided, the period of national service performed by a person under this Act shall be two years.
References
CNN.com. (2003). Rangel Introduces Bill to Reinstate Draft. CNN [Online]. Available: http://www.cnn.com/2003/ALLPOLITICS/01/07/rangel.draft/
Rangel, C. (2003) S.89. Congress.org [On-line]. Available: http://congress.org/congressorg/webreturn/?url=http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c108:S.89:
Steinberg, M. (2003). Rangel’s Military Bill Ruffles Hawks Feather’s. Executive Intelligence Review [On-line]. Available: http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2003/3002rangel_draft.html
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