Get Ready to Get Drafted. You’re Next!

“There is no Way to Avoid the Draft”

- Rep. Rangel

In January 2003 the Universal National Service Act of 2003 (H.R. 163, S.89) was floored in Congress.

Two key features of this legislation which directly affect you:

· College students are not exempt from service: “College bound deferred only until end of term”.

· Two-Year Period of National Service for all eligible men and woman ages 18-26.

On September 23, 2003 The Department of Defense posted a help wanted ad on their website for the unaffiliated Selective Service System raising many concerns about the draft being reinstated. The ad was listed under the heading “Serve Your Community and the Nation. Become a Selective Service System Local Board Member”. The ad was quickly removed because of the growing concerns and the conflict of interest of the DOD serving the SSS. This ad is significant for this reason:

· There is a projected $28 Million to be appropriated to the Selective Service System in the Fiscal year 2004 to have the Draft Board Ready by June 15, 2005.

Of the 435 members of the House of Representatives and the 100 members of the Senate, only one has a child in active military service.

“Who are we to know the pain of war when we ourselves will not directly bear the brunt of that action? It won’t be us mourning the loss of a child or a loved one. Maybe some of you in this Congress would think twice about voting for war if you knew your child may be sent to fight on the streets of Baghdad?

- Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)

But Don’t Expect Bush to Come to Your Funeral