Backtalk: Troops left out of process for choosing presidential nominees

[unhappycamper]

Troops left out of process for choosing presidential nominees
By Robert F. Dorr

The way the two major parties choose their nominees for president is wrong for all Americans, but especially wrong for service members.

Few of us have a voice in picking the nominees. If you’re in uniform, you may be left out entirely.

“I’m sick of a handful of people in Iowa and New Hampshire making that call,” wrote a staff sergeant on his second tour in Iraq. “My state isn’t one of those with an early primary. So no one in my state, military or civilian, gets to say who the two nominees will be.”

Perhaps unintentionally, he was describing exactly how Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry became the Democratic nominee in 2004. Most Democratic voters, civilian and military, had no say. Iowa and New Hampshire gave him unstoppable momentum.

The Iowa caucuses provide an exercise in grassroots democracy for the tiny number of Iowa residents who participate in them. But they exclude everyone else.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/community/opinion/airforce_backtalk_novoice_080114/

[MADem]

1. IA servicemembers ARE disenfranchised. If they aren't home on leave, they cannot caucus.

At least those from primary states can cast an absentee ballot.

I'd suggest to the staff sgt. that he move to a state with an early primary, if it means that much to him. He can do that by changing his home of record in his personnel file.

Of course, if it ain't NH, said state might have an income tax!