Two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel of New York and John Conyers of Michigan announced they would be sponsoring legislation to reinstate the national draft for military service. However, it seems to be less of a personnel matter than a political matter.

Both congressmen are pushing the matter with claims that a war or further military actions in the war on terrorism would only involve under-privileged Americans.

“It has unfortunately become the duty of someone else’s child to go to war and die as the privileged evade the tragic consequences of war,” Conyers said.

The two are asking for mandatory military or national service for men and women ages 18 to 26, without exemptions for college or graduate programs.

Since the events of Sept. 11, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld has opposed a conscripted national military.

He has recently come under fire from Democratic presidential hopefuls and Vietnam veterans, Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Dachle (D-S.D.), for comments he made about the draftees of that war.

Rumsfeld called the system one where people were “sucked into the mouths, and then went out, adding no value, no advantage, really, to the United States armed services over any sustained period of time.”

Kerry and Dachle called Rumsfeld’s comments, “A disservice to an outstanding group of patriots.”

At Saint Louis University students do not seem to be worrying about being drafted, noting the political undertones of the possible legislation.

“I see it as a not-so-subtle sign to the White House and other politicians,” said Jared Manczuk, senior political science major, explaining how President Bush avoided the Vietnam draft by joining the Texas Air National Guard.

“If I were drafted, though, I would go because someone else would take my spot (if I did not go),” he said.

“It’s a gut-check to America and students,” Matt Love, a SLU senior, said. “It’s attempting to open up everyone’s eyes and forces them to understand the reality of a war.”

The mandatory national draft was enacted in 1948 and lasted until 1973, when a failing effort in Vietnam and strong anti-war movement led to the creation of an all-volunteer army.

However, all male citizens are required to register for selective service at the age of 18.