University of Virginia Library

Kennedy Plan

National Service may not be
introduced quite as bluntly as I've
suggested. There is a high
probability that Edward Kennedy's
plan will be accepted with some
modifications. All men will become
equally draftable, at the same time
all guidelines for granting C.O. status
will be removed. Essentially any
man who would apply for a
Conscientious Objector's status
would have the request granted,
and would be expected to do
alternative service for at least three
years. Without college deferments it
would become incumbent upon the
registrant to apply for C.O. on his
eighteenth birthday.

With the tight job market and
lack of funds for most
philanthropic activities, the
likelihood is that many new C.O.'s
would be unable to obtain jobs, but
be drafted into alternative service
anyway. Where would they go, why
to the camps, of course!