Compulsory Military Service?

The irrepressible Congressman Rangel, D-N.Y., is at it again. The perennial proponent of re-instating the draft plans to revive the idea. And, with a Democrat president, a Democrat Senate, and a Democrat House he just may have a shot this time. The Obama campaign discussed, and there has been public support for Obama youth movements, and this seems to be in line with earlier developments. The Republicans will bleat about compulsory service or Obama service groups but there is not a great deal of political opposition that they can muster since they are the minority party. The potential result is most likely some type of compulsory or heavily supported military or paramilitary service as a result.

The historical war-making record of Democrats does not look good either. War efforts have been led by Democratics Wilson, Roosevelt, Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, and Clinton. Oddly enough, the Republicans have ended or so threatened others with retaliation that war was avoided. Nixon and Reagan come to mind in this regard. Of course, this is a simplistic and all too brief summary but it stands to reason that Rangel is actually on to something.