New Draft Debate (Volunteer army still ensures the poorest will die)

[shawn703]

During World War II, a generation of Americans answered their country's call.

Millions of volunteers lined up to enlist, but a full two-thirds of the soldiers who fought and won the war were drafted into service.

Today, America is a nation at war. But, as CBS News Correspondent Russ Mitchell reports, this war is being fought entirely by volunteers, including reservists. There are 2.3 million people in America's armed forces, and the military says the number of new recruits is coming in right on schedule.

But there are some talking about a draft.

<snip>

The New York congressman says: "The question has to be, what are the incentives to volunteer? And when you see right now they're offering up to $20,000 for someone to go to war, or they're offering educational opportunities. All you have to decide is, who would be tempted by these kind of incentives? It won't be the kids of those that can afford the education, who don't need the money who would be tempted by this."

Statistics compiled by congressional researchers seem to back up Rangel's argument. Close to half the soldiers killed-in-action in Iraq have come from small-town America, places where economic opportunities can be few and far between. In other words, those likely to have the least money are giving their lives in the greatest numbers.

To many, it harkens back to the Vietnam War. Although a draft was then in place, the selective service system was riddled with loopholes that were often used by the affluent and well-connected to avoid serving. The poor, a large percentage of them minorities, bore the brunt of front-line casualties.

<snip?

But the economic costs of a draft would be nothing compared to the political costs a draft would impose.

Alexander asks, "Will it ever take place before this presidential election? Not a chance."


more...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/05/28/sunday/main620263.shtml

[progressivebydesign]

1. The draft wouldn't be much better..

in insuring that the military come from all walks of society. The richest will STILL get their kids out of the draft. Look at how many of the chickenhawks, and sons of politicians were not drafted.

[atreides1]

6. Not Under The New Rules

1. There is no exemption for expectant fathers. This one was used by old Dick Cheney.

2. A college student would only be allowed to finish up the year they are in and then report for induction. This was used by Trent Lott and Dick Cheney and the other Cowards of the Republican Party.

3. Yes there is still CO status, not sure yet what the rules covering this are.

4. Women can also be drafted under the bills introduced.

5. The appeals process would allow the person drafted to appear before a board. Under the previous draft, an appeal would be sent in
and the board would either approve or disapprove. Now they have to actually look and talk to the person appealing a draft notice.

[jdj]

2. I think Rangel is trying to get the repukes to come out

against a draft by proposing one, and an unpalatable one from there perspective at that. Pretty shrewd, they can't be for one while opposing one at the same time.

[qazplm]

3. sure they can

Bush was against the Dept of Homeland Security and then amazingly was able to now pretty much be known as the author and creator of it.

[PaDUer]

4. Send him to Iraq...

he OWES time, and the rest of his thugs! We'd all come to bid him ta-ta.

[LiberalBushFan]

7. actually I used to like Rangel but this idea couldn't have been dumber

remember how we used to say that our campaign theme had to be Bush 04 = Draft 05? How are we supposed to do that now? We can't. Bush and the Repubs will be happy to oppose this bill then be hypocritical after the election and reject it for their own draft bill.

[ugarte]

5. No government has the right to compel a person to kill others

Deferments for pacifists will as usual be few and far between.
For that reason I must oppose a draft.

In addition, to be consistent, if the gov. can conscript your body to fight, why can't it conscript a woman's body and tell her she must carry a child to term?

[RamboLiberal]

8. Well look who says draft could happen - Neocon Frank Gaffney

from the article - and I'm betting if AWOL should happen to steal this election we'll see a draft in '05.

"To figure out whether you need a draft, you need have to figure out what kind of war you're in," says defense analyst Frank Gaffney, who was a Pentagon arms expert in the Reagan administration. Gaffney says he thinks that if the war on terror expands, a draft may well become inevitable.

"We should be clear that if one were to go this route, you would in fact be asking of the American people a sacrifice," says Gaffney. "But it is a sacrifice that I personally believe is going to be necessary in light of circumstances that are now unfolding."

[ngGale]

9. Well then, let all of their children go off to war and die...

let them sacrifice their own children. They are going to have a hard time drafting anybody. Taking into consideration the fact that they are blackmailing guys to re-enlist. If guys want to volunteer fine, but we are going to do it anyway. It's going to be worse this time. This link is the way I feel, boy I'm tired of war.

http://www.rense.com/general35/wall.htm

[Zhade]

10. The stupidest thing the neocons could do...

...would be to issue weapons to and train to fight those of us who oppose their outright treason.

They might find themselves on the wrong end of the barrel.