Sunday March 05, 2006
Don't Let Congress Dodge the Draft Issue!
Think Globally,
Act Locally
I heard this phrase often in high school related to environmental issues. Thinking globally is a must these
days, and acting locally is the best recourse of any actions. It is this type of thinking that has my mind
back on a particular national issue. Debbie Hopper presented very real facts about military recruitment in
her when discussing her organization, Mothers Against the Draft, at the Missouri Libertarian Party convention.
The "war on terror" is a global war, they tell us. To my Libertarian mind, it is the drug war on steroids. The Libertarian Party can own this issue in the upcoming election cycle if we play our cards well. While attending
a G-8 Summit meeting or marching to the Capitol will garner little press or public education, we can make a difference locally on this global issue. I believe Debbie Hopper's advice is our best chance.
Without recruiting more troops, it will be difficult to invade new countries. Mothers Against the Draft will be surveying Congressional candidates again in 2006. We must strive to hold candidates accountable in the court of public opinion. The goal is to get surveys completed by candidates early in the campaign, forcing mandatory national service as an issue. We can not anticipate any coverage by national media, but that still looms as a possibility. Each of us can, however, make sure our own Congressional candidates in our own districts make a public statement in our local media. If they are in favor of mandatory national service, and/or they refuse to go on public record with their stance, we can shame them in our local media.
I will begin my own efforts in Missouri's 5th Congressional District. The incumbent, former Kansas City mayor, Rev. Emmanuel Cleaver, went on record as being opposed to military conscription in his campaign in 2004. He did not return the Mother's Against the Draft survey. Therefore, we do not know his stance on mandatory national service for men and women, ages 18-34. He has no opponent yet. Opposition or not, I will be sure his stance, or lack thereof, is made public knowledge in this Congressional district. I encourage others to do this one thing in their own Congressional district.
( Mar 05 2006, 08:51:44 PM CST )
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