Prediction: How the rich will be able to evade the coming draft

[bluestateguy]

During the Civil War men who were drafted, in the North, could opt out by paying the government a $300 commutation fee, or hiring a substitute. This created significant class resentment and contributed to the New York City draft riots of 1863.

We all know the draft is coming back if Baby Bush is elected in November. They have more wars planned, and that will require more bodies. Of course, he will see to it that the rich do not have to serve. I think he and the Republican Congress will bring back the Civil War era commutation fee, making it say $20,000 or $25,000, which would then go to the Pentagon. Rich men who are drafted will also be allowed to pay a substitute. This White House will market these exemptions to the draft law, by invoking free market, capitalist principles, suggesting that paid substitutes are really "volunteers" and that they can get valuable job experience by fighting a war. They will also suggest that men who pay the government a commutation fee are somehow doing their patriotic duty because they are funding the war effort ($20,000-$25,000 should pay for one or two latrines).

[no_hypocrisy]

1. Don't forget how * will give a $20,000-25,000 tax cut back to these "poor"

beleaguered parents of draftees.

[Jim Warren]

2. invoking free market, capitalist principles

Why don't we just privatize the military completely. You know, with "contractors" like say.... some repubs want to do with the USPS.
That way, the only loyalty issues of an army would be those "free market capitalist principles'.

[chelsea0011]

4. I was surprised to see that Blackwater has more Iraqi troops than Britain

The private military is alive and well in Iraq.

[chelsea0011]

3. Will the next draft include women?

All these gung ho Bush blind-supporter types will quickly change their tune when they sit home watching the draft on television and the birthday comes up #1. Nothing kills, no pun intended, an arm chair warrior like staring at a low draft number. It makes you long for peace.

Oh, the Bush girls will never serve.

[BiggJawn]

5. Unless it's written into "Survivor", they will never see it.

You think the Bush Sheeple would watch something so BORING as old people pulling numbers out of a bowl?

Hah.

Their first clue will be when the "Greetings" letter shows up in their mailbox.

[Jim Warren]

6. or out of a black box............nt

[Mari333]

8. www.bushdraft.com yes, the draft will include women

www.bushdraft.com

read it. this is what will happen if Bush gets back in.

[The Backlash Cometh]

7. The children of the rich will not see combat.

No front line service for them, unless it means jumping to the front of the line for a photo opt when Bush flies in for Thanksgiving dinner.

[Festivito]

9. Vietnam ended SOON after education deferments stopped.

Amazingly. Third-world USA with high unemployment, no jobs, falling investment values,.. Yes, I can see government overing money for lives, er, ah, service of patriots.