Reply #6: Actually, I think he's doing great by constantly bringing this up

[TechBear_Seattle]

Rangel has observed that while most Americans oppose the occupation of Iraq, they have no motivation for taking to the streets against the "war." He believes that a mandatory draft will spark opposition, in the same way that the draft was the focus of opposition against the Vietnam conflict.

Yes, the bill has almost no chance of being made in to law; but that is the point. First off, by keeping the bill active, it keeps the matter in the public eye. Since it was first introduced in 2002, it has caused public outcry against conscription and helped shine a light on the path we will have to take if this unpopular war continues. Second, it has forced the Repugs to say over and over again, "We will not implement a draft." If Rangel were to stop introducing this bill, which emphasizes universal service by all young Americans, it will become much, much easier for the Repugs to pass similar legislation that will draft only poorer Americans and leave their own precious hellspawn to attend drunken frat parties and organize Young Republican campus events to condemn draft resisters.

As long as Rangel's bill is on the table, there is no room for other conscription bills. That his bill would never pass is a feature, not a bug.