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WASHINGTON, May 13, 2005 -- New York Congressman Urges Bush to Spend Political Capital Calling on Americans to Sacrifice to Bolster Military
As the U.S. Army and Marine Corps face crippling shortfalls in meeting their enlistment goals, Cong. Charles Rangel today called on President Bush to make a personal appeal to Americans to volunteer for military service.
"At the very least the President should spend some of his political capital and publicly appeal to Americans to volunteer for service in Iraq," Cong. Rangel said. "He should go on television and explain why this war is important enough for parents to put their sons and daughters in harm's way."
The Congressman's admonition to the President followed yesterday's announcement that the Army had lowered its minimum required active duty commitment from 24 months to 15 months, the lowest in history. The move was meant to counter repeated shortfalls in recruiting by the Army and Marines, believed by many experts as a serious threat to the nation's military readiness.
"Recruiters are so desperate to get people in the military that some have been lying, misleading and even counseling recruits about how to cover up drug use," Cong. Rangel said. "They've been using the economic draft, enticing poor and rural kids to sign up with big bonuses and education benefits. But even that no longer seems to be working. There ought to be a more universal, patriotic appeal than money, and the President is the person who should make it."
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