Skip to comments.

Posted on 10/22/2001 9:35:18 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan

Lawmaker wants to keep draft dodgers from being elected to office

By AMY FRANKLIN
The Associated Press
10/22/01 5:29 PM

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- There's no talk of drafting troops for the war on terrorism, but state Rep. Paul DeWeese said Monday he's working on legislation to prevent draft dodgers from being elected to office.

Rep. Randy Richardville, chairman of the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, said he's leery of considering a bill that may punish people for something they did years ago.

"People make mistakes when they're young," the Monroe Republican said.

The measure being discussed by DeWeese would apply to those convicted of evading the draft, refusing to register for the draft or refusing to be inducted into the armed services if drafted.

It would prevent them from being elected to statewide office, the Legislature and judgeships, said DeWeese, a Williamston Republican who hasn't served in the military.

Those who were designated conscientious objectors wouldn't be affected by the legislation, DeWeese said. The bill also wouldn't apply to those who were pardoned for dodging the draft during the Vietnam War.

The draft was abolished in 1973. Federal law requires men ages 18 to 25 to register with the Selective Service System.

Dennis Gillem, a retired Army colonel, has been pushing for such a bill for decades. He's chairman of the 1776 Society of Veterans, a political action committee that represents veterans' interests.

Gillem said the measure is particularly important as U.S. troops battle terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

"Those who refuse to pay the price when called don't have to integrity to represent the citizens who are willing to serve," Gillem said.

But Richardville said such a bill may not be necessary because voters can easily figure out whether a candidate dodged a draft, and then decide if they want to vote for that candidate.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.