MILITARISM

AND THE
WAR
ECONOMY
MILITARISM AND THE WAR ECONOMY

Laurie Dobson’s Responses………………………………...……….3

Herb Hoffman’s Responses……………………………………….…5

Tom Ledue’s Responses………………………………………….….6

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MILITARISM AND THE WAR ECONOMY

1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? No. I don't agree with
some 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 military

contractors? If so, how do you propose holding these contractors
and corporations accountable? God no. The recruitment of these
types 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.

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MILITARISM AND THE WAR ECONOMY

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 legislation

that 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 legislation

that 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 legislation

that would establish a Department of Peace? Yes. Kucinich had the
right idea and it needs serious consideration by the rest of Congress.

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1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? Yes, only if this is
coupled 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

that would amend Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act to
protect the privacy of American high school students? Yes.

3. Do you believe that the US should ever employ private military

contractors? If so, how do you propose holding these contractors
and corporations accountable? No.

4. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that would offer tax exemptions, reimbursements or credits to
weapons manufacturers doing business in Maine? I am opposed to
granting 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.

5. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that would convert a minimum of 15% of current U.S. defense
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 legislation

that would establish a Department of Peace? Yes.

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1. Would you vote to reinstate the military draft? No. We must also
work 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

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

3. Do you believe that the US should ever employ private military

contractors? If so, how do you propose holding these contractors
and corporations accountable? No. If we cannot generate enough
support within our democracy to support a war, clearly it should not
be fought.

4. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that would offer tax exemptions, reimbursements or credits to
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.

5. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that would convert a minimum of 15% of current U.S. defense
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 generation
capacity, 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.

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MILITARISM AND THE WAR ECONOMY

6. Are you willing to introduce, co-sponsor and/or promote legislation

that 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.