maine senate- militarism

8/14/2019 Maine Senate- Militarism

1/7

MILITARISM

AND THEWAR

ECONOMY


2/7

MILITARISM AND THE WAR ECONOMY

2

Laurie Dobsons Responses....3

Herb Hoffmans Responses.5

Tom Ledues Responses..6


3/7


3

1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? No. I don't agree withsome who argue that this would stop the war, because people

would fight and mobilize if there was a draft. Maybe they would but

the state of fascism is more established now than it was during the

Vietnam War and I am not convinced that this would in itself, end

the war. It would also give them more people to kill. I believe that a

better war to end the war is by peace actions and also by firing

and replacing Congress and keeping the pressure on them and

intensifying the public's resistance.2. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that would amend Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act to

protect the privacy of American high school students? Yes. Though

not familiar with this section, I am prepared to say I agree with its

apparent provisions.

3. Do you believe that the US should ever employ private militarycontractors? If so, how do you propose holding these contractors

and corporations accountable? God no. The recruitment of thesetypes of forces is a reprehensible means for undermining our civilian

militia and taking the people's right of self-defense and putting it

into the hands of private corporations.

The principal intent is wrong and cannot be tolerated. I am

irreconcilably opposed to the use of private methods of control of

people. These forces should be eliminated. They will refuse lawful

accountability; they are by their very nature designed to be an anti-

military force, since they undermine our military's control.


4/7


4

They could have a disturbing, menacing and tyrannical role to play

in our own country to suppress our own people, on the scale on a

national Katrina situation where private military forces keep our

people from our rightful and lawful domestic defense. This is a

mafia-style rule which we must decry and reject. I will take an oath

to defend our country from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I see

this as a domestic menace, as I also view Infragard and other

methods currently being developed by the would-be fascist

elements at work in our society today.

4. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislationthat would offer tax exemptions, reimbursements or credits to

weapons manufacturers doing business in Maine? No. We must not

turn the proud heritage of our state into a vehicle for the expansion

and installation of a permanent military industrial conglomerate

operating within our borders. This does not teach peace to our

people or our children and it doesn't ensure them with the true

happiness which is their right and Constitutional heritage.

5. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislationthat would convert a minimum of 15% of current U.S. defense

spending to provide for social programs? Yes. I believe in a guns for

butter program, to 'create the conditions for peace' as FDR said.

6. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislationthat would establish a Department of Peace?Yes. Kucinich had theright idea and it needs serious consideration by the rest of Congress.


5/7


5

1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? Yes, only if this iscoupled with a thorough overhaul of the military and its role,

including the creation of the Department of Peace, and a renewed

emphasis on diplomacy. Converting to a true citizens' military

would be an important part of the conversion of the role of our

Nation's military. I would also include a community service

option as an alternative to serving in the military.2. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation


protect the privacy of American high school students? Yes.


and corporations accountable? No.


weapons manufacturers doing business in Maine? I am opposed togranting these inducements [profits] to weapons manufacturers;

however these types of state tax incentives are an issue for the

Maine Governor and Legislature, not the U.S. Senate.


spending to provide for social programs? At least that amount

beyond the savings that would result from ending the Iraq

War/Occupation also to provide funding for repairing the

infrastructure and the development of alternative, renewable fuels.This would be a TRUE economic stimulus plan.

6. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislationthat would establish a Department of Peace? Yes.


6/7


6

1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? No. We must alsowork to make sure that economic conditions do not create a de

facto draft by limiting other opportunities for our poorest citizens.2. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation


protect the privacy of American high school students? Yes. A

simple change that will protect families privacy is to allow families

to opt to be on a contact list if they want to be contacted by

recruiters rather than the current law that makes this private

information available to recruiters unless a family opts off such a list.


and corporations accountable? No. If we cannot generate enough

support within our democracy to support a war, clearly it should not

be fought.


weapons manufacturers doing business in Maine? No. Our military

industrial complex often enjoys profit margins over 20%. We need to

invest more in our people and less in the defense industry.


spending to provide for social programs? Yes. We need to invest a

significant percentage of these resources toward strengthening our

communities through the support of local clean energy generationcapacity, local agriculture and local industry that uses local

resources. The less we are dependent of fossil fuels, centralized

industrial food and production systems, the less that we will need

social programs.


7/7


7

6. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislationthat would establish a Department of Peace? Yes!! This is long

overdue. We must learn to sow the seeds of peace and understand

that doing so is both in line with our ideals and the long term best

interests of our country and all people.

maine senate- militarism

Documents