Southwest Corner
National Service Program
(April 18, 2005)
On
January 20 of this year, President George W. Bush revealed his view of
America"s future and committed the nation to "the
guiding ideal of liberty for all" at home and abroad. In portraying his vision of a more
democratic world, Mr. Bush
challenged all Americans—especially today"s youth.
"Make the choice to serve in a cause larger than your wants,
larger than yourself – and in your days you will add not just to the
wealth of our country, but to its character."
Such a call is laudable.
Hoping for a massive voluntary response by the country"s citizens to
march to Mr. Bush"s summons is naïve.
Instead, now is the time to reinstitute an obligatory National Service
Program for every man and woman over the age of 18.
The nation"s leaders are afraid to restore the draft to force
compulsory military service.
However, the Congress should pass and the President should sign into law
legislation requiring all American citizens to complete two years of national
service.
This would not be a return to military conscription. Service in the nation"s Armed Forces,
of course, would be an option. But
it would be only one of several alternatives. Americans would be able to fulfill this two-year obligation
in a variety of ways. The nation"s
residents meet their obligation by "volunteering" for one of several acceptable
organizations.
The Peace Corps continues to attract hundreds of Americans of all
ages who want to make a difference by working abroad with citizens of other
nations to improve daily life for the worldıs poor. AmeriCorps and the Senior Corps perform the same
function at home. Such
organizations benefit from the skills that millions of Americans possess that
should be used to help less fortunate residents. There is, however, so much more that could be accomplished
through a significant increase of enlistees under a National Service Program.
The National Service Program should contain provisions that
forgive a significant percentage of college loans for graduates of the nations
professional schools. Young
doctors, dentists, veterinarians, nurses and other health professionals would
donate their skill and talent by working and living in the poorest regions of
the United States. For every month
of service in a hardship location, outstanding student loans would be
reduced—up to 50 percent by the end of the two year service. Similar provisions would apply to other
professionals such as teachers,
engineers and lawyers who meet their obligation by working in poor schools, helping
repair badly antiquated infrastructures or representing residents in need of
legal aid.
No one would be exempt.
A generation ago celebrities of all stripes routinely—and often
gladly—served in the military.
Movie Stars, professional athletes and singers often temporarily abandoned lucrative careers at the
height of their popularity to answer the call to service. The sense of national commitment
seemed more important than a multi-million dollar contract
Perhaps the most significant result of such a National Service
obligation would be the rebirth of a badly needed spirit of patriotism and
sense of community. Millions
of Americans, of course, devote thousands of hours selfishly helping friends, neighbors
and fellow citizens. Too
frequently, however, the voices and deeds of such volunteers are obscured by
what ABC News Correspondent, John Stossel, calls "The Whining of
America."--the self-centered obsession with personal indulgence.
A National Service Program would require not only America"s most qualified
citizens to donote their talent but would also offer an opportunity for the
nation"s poor to contribute to the country"s well being also. Impoverished Americans would also be
required to complete two years of service. One result would be to expose some of the nation"s poor to
different lifestyles and the possibilities for change—just as the
military did for tens of thousands of poor Americans of generations past.
America needs a new spirit of community commitment and pride. A National Service Obligation is one step toward restoring
that lost sense of national purpose.
Stevecoon
Tucson, Arizona
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