Are you down for some National Service?

[CichlidFan]

There's something new cooking in congress, HR 5471....those of you who are between the ages of 18 to 42 might want to look into it.

What's next....?

CF

[wesleydnunder]

HR 5471 will mandate the distinct marking of toy and look-alike firearms so that they can be distinguished from real guns.

Why should folks between 18 and 42 pay particular attention to this?

Mark

[CichlidFan]

Oppps..my bad....try this one then....HR 5741.....

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-5741

Thanks Mark....

CF

[sunrise]

Is this the armed national civilian force that the president talked about?

sunrise

[CichlidFan]

It states simply:

To require all persons in the United States between the ages of 18 and 42 to perform national service, either as a member of the uniformed services or in civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, to authorize the induction of persons in the uniformed services during wartime to meet end-strength requirements of the uniformed services, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 15, 2010

[ImaGuyGeek]

I have mixed feelings about this one. If done right (which is highly unlikely) it could have some very positive results like a stronger sense of National pride, a trained and empowered citizen base and a strengthening of the 2nd Amendment with a citizenry trained to properly use a firearm.

The reality is that it is ill conceived much like the Health Care bill. It will cost an unimaginable amount of money, and the Democrats are short sighted and not thinking ahead to consider how the Republicans will use this program when they are in power again.

[mnemenoi]

I agree, I do think it could have positive results. I fear it will be used improperly and place our youth in foreign lands defending the rights of the privileged. The vast amount of resources it requires to properly train personnel in our government and army would make the induction of persons whom are drafted and forced to participate for a short term unfeasible. I can certainly hold someone responsible who has chosen to serve and willingly sought the profession, but what of someone forcibly drafted? I believe this might work better in smaller countries, but our bureaucracy and convoluted systems truly require a driven and focused participant.

[jeebus]

Instead of mandatory service, I think there should be a reward system for those who volunteer. Perhaps the ability to vote after voluntarily serving.

With that said, I also know that not everyone is physically or mentally able to join the military, but the Government could identify other forms of civil service to allow those from all walks of life the ability to volunteer to serve their country - in one way or another.

You should want to roll out of bed and want to make this place better than what it is.

[Mzungu]

You should want to roll out of bed and want to make this place better than what it is.

True. But that doesn't have to mean joining the military. Teachers make this place better. So do doctors. So does almost everyone with a JOB.

I don't think I could be more against this than I already am. It's a terrible idea, IMO.

If a father (or mother) wants to leave his family to join the military, that's his/her choice. But I don't see how forcing mothers and fathers to do so would help anything. Healthy families are already endangered as it is, as are kids.

I'd go on, but don't really want to.

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

[Darbex]

I am anti the government forcing me to do most things. I shouldnt have to serve in civil or military corps as a necessity to be a US citizen. We are big enough nation to have an all volunteer corps. I understand it for Israel but not here. My contribution to society is to work hard, make money, and stay out of trouble.

[CichlidFan]

We'll have to keep an eye on this bill and watch it's progress thru the house and senate....

Like the health reform bill, I don't see this bill becoming very popular...

CF

[jeebus]

You should want to roll out of bed and want to make this place better than what it is.

True. But that doesn't have to mean joining the military. Teachers make this place better. So do doctors. So does almost everyone with a JOB.

I don't think I could be more against this than I already am. It's a terrible idea, IMO.

If a father (or mother) wants to leave his family to join the military, that's his/her choice. But I don't see how forcing mothers and fathers to do so would help anything. Healthy families are already endangered as it is, as are kids.

I'd go on, but don't really want to.

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

You blew right past the meat and went for the potatoes:

Instead of mandatory service, I think there should be a reward system for those who volunteer. Perhaps the ability to vote after voluntarily serving.

With that said, I also know that not everyone is physically or mentally able to join the military, but the Government could identify other forms of civil service to allow those from all walks of life the ability to volunteer to serve their country - in one way or another.

You should want to roll out of bed and want to make this place better than what it is.

Teaching, Nursing, EMS, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Construction (think carpenters, plumbers, and electricians for organizations like Habitat for Humanity) are all great examples of careers that give back to your community.

That was the point of my post. :)

[jeebus]

I am anti the government forcing me to do most things. I shouldnt have to serve in civil or military corps as a necessity to be a US citizen. We are big enough nation to have an all volunteer corps. I understand it for Israel but not here. My contribution to society is to work hard, make money, and stay out of trouble.

If only this were everyone's personal agenda, life would be so much more peaceful.

Fwiw, I would vote no to this, because like Charles, I feel the government would ultimately screw this up. Its better to have the imperfect system with abusers we have now, than any form of idealized society of group-share.

Other countries have a name for that, and its called Communism.

[mnemenoi]

In essence don't all jobs contribute something back to the community? I'm simply saying that in the most base form. We are a capitalist society and forcing anyone to perform a service inevitably reduces the pay and demand for those services. I could see the possibility of utilizing them as some sort of ready task force in emergency situations such as hurricanes and earthquakes, though we do have similar groups already in place. I think that employing them in lieu of professionals would only reduce the amount those individuals would be paid.

[stevenallenbarnard]

Instead of mandatory service, I think there should be a reward system for those who volunteer. Perhaps the ability to vote after voluntarily serving.

With that said, I also know that not everyone is physically or mentally able to join the military, but the Government could identify other forms of civil service to allow those from all walks of life the ability to volunteer to serve their country - in one way or another.

You should want to roll out of bed and want to make this place better than what it is.

I like where you are coming from, but for the the idea of only giving someone the right to vote after voluntarily serving kind of goes against our constitution. Besides, they already give incentives to people who volunteer. A friend of mine did two tours in Iraq just to be able to go to college. HE was also able to save a ton of money while in the military because every dime he made went into savings because he didn't have to pay for his own housing or anything like that while he was in. he also get's medical benefits from the VA.