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In 1973 enforced conscription was ended in the United States. But in recent weeks rumors have spread across the country that a military draft will be reinstituted. Both George Bush and John Kerry have stated that they are against a draft. But in the last two weeks John Kerry has been adding fuel to the flames on the campaign trail indicating that if Bush is re-elected the draft may well be brought back.

The fear over military conscription is not new, rumors spread during the 1992 Gulf War. But this year it is a little more tangible due to various issues such as troops are spread thinly across the globe and active combat in two countries, not to mention stop loss measures and the use of national guard and reservists.

Earlier this year Congressman Charles Rangel pushed a bill to the floor of the House proposing a renewal of the draft. His goal was to highlight the inequity of enrollment in the armed forces. The bill failed 402 to 2, Rangel didn’t even vote for the bill himself.

Rep. Charles Rangel will join us to discuss his bill. Discussing the pros of a all volunteer army will be Charles Peña, Director of Defense Policy Studies at the Cato Institute. And speaking for a larger conscription effort is economist Ed Lotterman.

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