U.S. Has Contingency Plans for a Draft of Medical Workers - NYT 10/19/04
 

If there is plans for a medical draft, you know damn well there is a skills draft in the works!

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/19/politics/19draft.html

U.S. Has Contingency Plans for a Draft of Medical Workers

By ROBERT PEAR
Published: October 19, 2004

WASHINGTON, Oct. 18 - The Selective Service has been updating its contingency plans for a draft of doctors, nurses and other health care workers in case of a national emergency that overwhelms the military's medical corps.

In a confidential report this summer, a contractor hired by the agency described how such a draft might work, how to secure compliance and how to mold public opinion and communicate with health care professionals, whose lives could be disrupted.

On the one hand, the report said, the Selective Service System should establish contacts in advance with medical societies, hospitals, schools of medicine and nursing, managed care organizations, rural health care providers and the editors of medical journals and trade publications.

On the other hand, it said, such contacts must be limited, low key and discreet because "overtures from Selective Service to the medical community will be seen as precursors to a draft," and that could alarm the public.

[...]

If Bush wins there will very likely be a draft (it won't be called that - likely called something like 'emergency civil service' or whatever doublespeak they can come up with) ...

Young people age 18 to 26 here, in particular, should be very aware of this issue and vote accordingly...

Of course, there's no guarantee that Kerry wouldn't do the same thing, but is unlikely ... on the other hand, with Bush one can expect more of the same, and likely even worse when it comes to the war - ie. expanded war involving Iran and Isreal.

On the bright side, if people think the sky is falling, they'll be more likely to spend money, such as for memberships :1orglaugh

Ron

But didn't Kerry say that was going to expand the Army by an entire division?

at least that would be better than drafting in. Expanding with voluntary soldiers.