Chuck & others,
I am also appalled that any leftist would back Rangel's plan because "strategically" it (or may not!) have the effect of deterring war. So, leftists supporting FORCED STATE CONSCRIPTION to train folks to be murderers, in order to stop wars. Has forced conscription stopped war in Israel or any other imperialist-type country? Where?
Also, if folks are in the military because they feel they have no other choice, they need to look around more. A lot of it also has to do with the irrational prestige and slavish worshipfulness folks accord the soliderly or militaristic in our society, which unhealthily, cowardly reveres power.
Some people more put time into choosing into an ISP or bath soap that seeing what economic opportunities they have besides the Army. There is something called AmeriCorps that provides scholarships, job training, etc., minus the murder skills (that I know of), that folks can also go into. Like'em or hate'em, a local Socialist org was flyering army recruitment centers with flyers for AmericCorps with the message, "You don't need to join the army to get a good job."
In any event, as I've said, I don't believe Nuremberg Principles sa wthe hope for a good future job as an excuse for war atrocities in WW2 or other wars. It'd be a laughable excuse, in fact.