Why were the wealthy so effectively able to avoid the draft during Vietnam?

Question

It is one of the greatest tradgedies in our history-those who died in Vietnam were predominately-poor and middle class kids-we see that with our current leaders-very few went to Vietnam. In regards to the Texas Air National Guard...General Westmoreland (this was before Bush was Pres.) indicated there was a pilot shortage and the 'Champagne Division' was untouchable.......in terms of a possible source to fullfill this shortage. Ya know as much as I don't like Kerry he went..one of the few rich who did..

Answer 1

Money can buy anything......Kerry bought his medals at a surplus store.....Im sorry, he was given them based on a fabricated and exagerated scenario where he scratched his finger

Answer 2

It's because universities didn't have all those special programs back then and there were rich people that did serve in the military. The chances of going to Vietnam and fighting were fairly slim. At the time there were like 1 million soldiers. 10% were in Vietnam. 20% were fighting and 80% were support. Al Gore was in Vietnam, but not on the front lines. That means, if you were in the military during that time, you had a 2% chance of seeing combat and 10% chance of seeing Vietnam for each year of service.

Answer 3

There was a few stipulations, one I remeber hearing that early on in the draft if one was attending college or was try to become a teacher they were able to skip out on the draft.

That being said Im sure there were some who couldn't afford to go to college hense why alot of the lower and middle class was drafted.

Answer 4

Because they were wealthy. We live in a society where wealth equals power, and power equals privilege. There will never come a time in our lifetime when the sons of the people in power must be put at risk to keep their fathers wealthy, that is what the poor people are for, always have been.

Answer 5

its been that way since the civil war the new york draft riots were about the fact that you could buy your way out of the draft with 300$ but in 1863 300$ was like 30000$ how many could afford that today so nothing has changed much the rich get richer and the poor get...........

Answer 6

Actually that was nothing new. The US civil war was fought predominately by the poor and former slaves. If you had the money all you had to do is hire someone to take your place during that time.

Answer 7

They found a way into the national guard. If you were a major campaign contributor to your congressman he could do favors.
When it comes to Bush's National guard record I am sure he regrets every day how horrible it was or he should

Answer 8

Well, it was the Democrats' war, escalated by a Democrat and supported by a Democrat congress. They're the ones who made the rules. Why were the Democrats the party of the priviledged?

Answer 9

Rich people don't have the problems that others do. They stand up for things like integration ( which doesn't effect them) homeless (try sleeping on Barbara striesands beach, lol) or war (which they see on TV). Or Bono's stand on African poverty (how much did he give, LMAO). They play the game and the Media soaks it up.

Answer 10

There are many people who would laugh at the prospect of altering their destinies. This is due to the fact that it thinks that no one gets more that what is put in his fate.

Answer 11

would you go if your were rich? What could be betther than watch your "servants" watch over you like a vet would watch over the country he/she fights for? It is said but true, the rich don't want to get their hands dirty...