Is the U.S. Public Service Academy a Reality?

It's time to rejuvenate

As a teacher dedicated to building the next generation of leaders in this country, I think is a wonderful idea. Adding this service academy to serve as a beacon of our country's commitment to public service is exactly what we need right now. President-elect Obama is the perfect leader to open this academy, and our country's youth are ready to sign up and make this an elite institution. Supporting this initiative is essential as it will continue to rejuvenate our public sector in many areas with our best and brightest.

Public or political service?

I'd call it a Bolshevik type youth brigade, responsible on domestic surveillance and upholding political opinion. Similar systems are found in all Marxist-Leninist states from Russia to DDR, to Maoist China. It's also reported that the partakers would have access to guns, and form militia units to enforce new legistlation. This is in direct conflict with the constitution, even though citizens' militias are an institutional part of it. The constitution clearly forbids establishing a militia, or a politically aligned brigade, in service of the federal government or the president. Obama is politically on thin ice with this project.

USPSA is more than just an Education

Yes other schools will teach the same classes that the USPSA will teach. However, the PSA will offer far more than just an academic education. Look at the current Academies compared to ROTC.

I think this is an excellent idea because it gives a chance for people who enjoy doing community service to thrive. It can also provide the country with civil servants who actually want to help. Also, it will be taught by normal, civil servants. It's not going to be a school that is filled with snobs. It will be a caring environment.

You need the teaching, you noodlehead

"I like it if liberals are running it now, AND it's forever staffed by civil service employees. I wouldn't have liked the Republicans to have spent such tax money to indoctrinate neocons. So who's gonna teach what?"

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That's brilliant thinking. Do you have any notion at all about what it means to be a "nation of laws, not men"? It means you need structures that enumerate the powers (say, like that "Constitution" thing we have, ever read it?) and prevent arbitrary, capricious, tyrannical abuses. You can't dismantle departments to keep the next administration of the "other party" from using the powers that your heroes use correctly. Make the government a cudgel, and everybody who gets elected will wield it, in ways you can never predict, with unintended consequences you will rarely reverse. I am against another government propaganda operation of any kind, but education is great. You should try it!

USPSA what the country needs

Its amazing that anytime new ideas arise in this country those opposed to it are unable to take five minutes and dispassionately reflect. Seriously, is that asking too much? Instead of wondering what the Public Service Academy is attempting to do--educate a very small number of students to fill jobs of critical need that are not currently being done or that will soon be vacant--they instantly deride it. Not only that, they stoop to the lowest forms of demagoguery and fear mongering by attempting to compare an idea had by none other than Washington, Madison, Hamilton, and Adams to the Hitler youth. Brave and insightful indeed! The more I read these comment pages the more I think there exists a peculiar species of being that derives some misguided joy from roving the internet to vent their aimless animus and display for all to see their smug superiority. Take five minutes to look at the idea (uspublicseriviceacademy.org) and you will see its great benefits.

HR 1671 is a MUST!!!

This country has so many young people who are willing to serve--and they need to be given the opportunity in a way that doesn't empty their pockets. Tuition is skyrocketing and even those who want to go into the public sector after getting their undergrad or even after their graduate degree--it's near impossible to make a decent living, especially with our economic crisis. The job market is not so good. This academy will change all that. With a bit of patience, we could have a team of young people serving this nation in the public sector--they would be giving back to the community as public defenders, as prosecutors, as fire fighters, as police, as public school teachers, as rescue/relief effort doctors, and so much more. Support the US Public Service Academy!!!

USPSA will be an amazing education!

I am so stunned to read some of these comments. I am finishing college this year with 65K in debt. If I had the opportunity to attend such an institution, I would have made it my first choice. Our military academies graduate highly-educated, skilled individuals who hit the ground running and lead. The fact is, some of us cannot and do not want to go into the military. Why is an equivalent education who want to serve our nation in the public sector under such ridiculous scrutiny? I believe it comes down to education. I suggest the nay-sayers go to the academy website and read about the comprehensive education. On top of the educational program, the students complete internships in emergency response, non-profit and military areas. I wish more people had experience in these different areas. Just think, a strong academy alumni network could have made a world of difference after Katrina struck. This academy is not mandatory, and ambitious young Americans with a drive to serve are begging for it!

I wish this already exists!

As I read the article, I was surprised this didn't already exist! I'm a high school senior, and if this existed, this would be the first place I would apply to! Man, I hope this actually becomes established so that future generations can have that chance. I'm not some crazy liberal who is for huge spending and big government, I have been a Republican all my life and I believe this will be a great addition to all the other Academies we currently have. I'm a huge proponent for public service, and this is such a great way to facilitate service among the talent youth.

USPSA is a good idea

I think that a university that focuses on public service is a great idea. As a student I would certainly have considered going. I think that a whole school dedicated to training public servants is an entirely different thing from a community college or school like Princeton. I hope that Obama will make it a reality