The Goal of Rangel's Draft Proposal

The goal of Congressman Rangel's proposal to reinstitute the draft appears to be to make politicians think harder before going to war because their own kids, and perhaps kids of other "elites", might have to serve:

Would reinstituting the military draft even things out, spreading the responsibility while influencing politicians to think twice before sending men and women into harm's way?

Rep. Charles Rangel (D) of New York thinks so.

But would that really be the result? It's hard to imagine it would have had much of an effect on the decision to invade Iraq. Would anyone in office have changed their view on that basis?

Regardless, of course, there's this counterargument, which I find pretty compelling:

A draft "contradicts the principles of a free society by coercing people to fight for freedom," says Ivan Eland, national security analyst at the Independent Institute in Oakland, Calif. "Soldiers who want to be in the military do a better job than those who don't, and the military services know it."

Are the Dems Really Pushing for a Draft?

Congressman Rangel says he will introduce legislation to bring back a military draft. I assume this is just to score political points (e.g., remind voters that many Republicans did not serve), and not something the Dems are taking seriously. It doesn't seem like it would have much support.

On the other hand, the linked article does note that "Rangel said his legislation on the draft would also offer the alternative of a couple of years of public service with educational benefits." Since it's not just about the military, they could spin it as a more general public service plan, which might help get some broader support.

For me, that last bit makes it even worse. I can see an argument for forced military service in an emergency, but forced public service sound like a colossal waste of time and a sure way to make people like their country less. But he wasn't really expecting my vote anyway.

UPDATE: The Democratic leadership has said this will not happen, which is a smart move on their part.