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CounterPunch
January
2, 2003
Not Another Draft!
by KRYSTAL KYER
On January 1, 2003 Representative Charles Rangel
(D, NY), announced his intentions to Elite America to introduce
legislation reinstating the draft, bringing new fears to the
New Year's Day faces of many Generation "X"ers. What
a way to begin 2003 ? with involuntary servitude back on the
table and a looming Iraq war! So much for the season of peace
(or at least the rhetoric).
The threat of a military draft is scary,
especially for the young sons, brothers, fathers and husbands
who will be sacrificed in the name of economic "security"
and "freedom." Although I don't believe that it is
politically feasible at this time (both the President and the
DoD oppose a draft presently), the members of Congress have done
stranger things?
Still, Rangel's reasoning for mandatory
"citizen soldiers" needs a closer look. Actually, just
a glance will do. First off, there is something missing. Ah yes,
logic. There is precisely no logic to his reasoning at all. He
claims that bringing back the draft will cause lawmakers (his
constituents) to carefully consider any military action against
Iraq. Great! Is it too much to hope that they already do that?
According to Rangel, it is.
The problem is this: Congress already
gave Bush the power to invade Iraq on October 11, 2002. All they
ask from the president is notification within 48 hours, and every
60 days after invading. Well, I guess that throws out Rangel's
point. There's nothing to consider, the decision has already
been made.
Now what matters is ensuring sufficient
bodies to man a war. That?s what a draft is for, isn't it? Surely,
its not to make patriotism compulsory in equal doses across the
classes.
Still, Rangel makes a noteworthy point
when he acknowledges the fact that people from lower socio-economic
status and minorities disproportionately make up our armed forces.
Yet saying that a draft will bring better representation isn?t
necessarily true. After all, the rich can always buy their way
out, one way or another. Just ask Bush, Cheney, Ashcroft, Delay,
Armey, Hastert, Lott, and Perle (should I go on?) how they did
it.
Since when is involuntary servitude on
the list of American values? Is enslavement patriotic? Apparently
some of our elected officials sitting in D.C. today agree with
many of our "founding fathers." There are striking
similarities between 2003 and 1776. For instance, many of the
"fathers" of our constitution were rich, white, male
landholders and slaveholders. How much difference is there today?
Well, some of the Lott apparently long for the good old days.
There is one particular comparison of
an American institution that can be made to the military and
a draft. That is, one of our country's leading industries ? prisons.
Not coincidentally, the prison population suffers from the same
disproportionate representation, as does our current "volunteer"
military. Perhaps Rangel could introduce legislation requiring
equal representation in prisons. I am certain that the $35 billion
prison industry would support him.
Yet there is another connection between
today's military and prisons. Courts have used the military as
a diversion from jail. In other words, the same types of people
who sit in jail today also protect our country! I served with
a few of them. This means minorities, especially African-Americans,
and poor people lacking opportunity, education and training -
all systemic victims of institutionalized and personal racism
and classism. These are our valiant soldiers, the ones who die
for us on the battlefield and in the electric chair. These are
our inmates, the ones who are often twice victims ? of our societal
failures and of our prejudiced judicial system.
They are both guinea pigs. What better
place to put our unneeded and unwanted laborers? If they don't
die in jail ? either by taxpayer-assisted murder or by inmate
violence, then by "friendly" or enemy fire. Either
way, they are out of our way. In body bags or behind locked doors.
A job well done!
Christmas sales were bah-humbug. Official
unemployment is at 6%. Elections are on the political horizon.
What do you know ? its time for a war. Gotta spend those munitions
before they expire, and buy some more. Sorry, no time for butter.
Pass the guns, please.
Happy New Year working class America!
Are you listening? Take your pick: jail or military. Either way,
you lose your rights. That is, if there ever were any to begin
with.
Oh don't worry; you richies have a 'get
out of jail free' card. Hey, maybe you'll profit, too.
Krystal Kyer
is a member of the Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, and
a veteran. She can be reached at: Klynn@nocharge.zzn.com
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