State Green Party calls House vote on draft an election year ‘trick' to deceive voters, protect incumbents; Draft still
a threat
GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004
Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,
SACRAMENTO – The Green Party of California today said a House vote this week to kill a bill to bring back the draft was nothing more than an "election year trick" by Democrats and Republicans to insulate them from the war in Iraq and guarantee them re-election.
"The vote was meant to deceive voters, who have legitimate fears that they or their loved ones may be sent off to a war that polls show the public disagrees with," said Pat Driscoll, Green congressional candidate CD 5th (Sacramento).
"Democrats and Republicans, who are both responsible for the war, did not want Iraq to effect their re-election chances in November so they pretended to ‘end' the draft. But, they're not fooling anyone," added Adrienne Prince, Green 37th Assembly District candidate (Venture/Los Angeles).
In fact, the House measure can be re-introduced at any time – for instance, after November 2 when incumbents have been safely re-elected. An identical bill, S89, is still alive in the Senate and there's been no move to remove it by either party.
"Both parties admit they want us to remain in Iraq, and neither has said they will do what the American public wishes, and that is to end the war and bring the troops home safely," said Terry Baum, Green congressional candidate CD 8th (San Francisco).
"Recruiting is down and current members of the armed forces can't wait to get out. Conscription will be the only way they will get those 40,000 troops," said Pat Gray, Congressional candidate for CA 12th (San Mateo/South San Francisco).
The Green Party is opposed to the draft and has called for the withdrawal of all U.S. personnel from Iraq as quickly and safely as it can occur.
-30-
The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org