Prediction: How the rich will be able to evade the coming draft [View All]

[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).