Rangel Plan Gives Obama 'Civilian Security Force'

When Barack Obama was campaigning for president in 2008, he visited Colorado Springs and WND broke the the story that he wanted a "Civilian National Security Force" as big and as well-funded as the $650 billion-plus U.S. military. Now Charlie Rangel is proposing that he have it.

Rangel, facing ethics charges in Congress, has proposed the Universal National Service Act that would require "all persons" from ages 18-42 "to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security."

The plan also authorizes "the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes."

According to the copy of Rangel's plan, which has been assigned to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel even though it lacks cosponsors, it specifies that "national service" means "military service or service in a civilian capacity that, as determined by the president, promotes national defense, including national or community service and service related to homeland security."

"It is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages 18 and 42 to perform a period of national service as prescribed in this title," it specifies.

It would require that the president provide "for the induction" of people to the service corps.

"Except as otherwise provided in this section, the period of national service performed by a person under this title shall be two years," Rangel wrote.

The exceptions provide that the term of service may be extended if the "member" needs to "compensate for any time lost to training for any cause" or "for the purpose of furnishing hospitalization, medical, or surgical care for injury or illness incurred in the line of duty."

It gives the president the far-reaching authority to "prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out this title," including what types of "civilian service" are required, "standards of satisfactory performance," "penalties for failure" and "such other matters as the president determines necessary to carry out this title."

Conscientious objectors would be ordered "to perform national civiliain service … as the president may prescribe."

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