Rethinking Rahm Emanuel's Mandatory Student Service

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You think it's a good thing, then DO IT! Organize, volunteer, wonderful! My son is involved in all this stuff in high school, and will be in college. National Honor Society, Mentors in Violence Prevention, Students Reaching Out, etc. Sooper! But it's becuase he CHOOSES to do these things, not because he is compelled by a gov't that took our hard-earned $$$$$'s, borrowed from the Fed against my son's future, and is now holding it for ransom. And none of the situations you describe would be helped by this "service"- it is not a "Corps". They are out there- Volunteer!

Raysmom of CO 3:28PM March 19, 2009

How about instead of the government giving me stuff I do not want and did not ask for, and then demanding that I somehow OWE them for it...the government just dismantles all these stupid programs, saves some money, and doesn't have to worry about forcing people to do anything?
This ought be repugnant to all liberty-loving people. He's creating a "forced patriotism" scheme here, and like all times when force is used...you're into dealing with slaves.
"Patriotism ... is a superstition artificially created and maintained through a network of lies and falsehoods; a superstition that robs man of his self-respect and dignity, and increases his arrogance and conceit." - Emma Goldman

Evan of CA 10:38PM March 16, 2009

This country was founded on ideas of great men. These ideas included THE OWNERSHIP OF YOUR OWN LIFE, the ability to pursue liberty as one sees fit for him/herself, NOT as the government mandates it. I agree that most Americans are lazy, they don't want to help unless it helps themselves. I DO NOT agree that government mandating labor or any type of service is beneficial to the pursuit of personal liberty, or is constitutionally backed by ANY DEGREE. People should want to help, not be forced.
Here comes the revolution.....

Doug Weinheimer of NY 12:32PM February 20, 2009

You need to read the book before you go leaving comments like that. Pages 54-62 should help you out. If people could get their heads out of their asses they would see that ' the plan' is a good idea and well worth 3 measly months -- also, it's more than this 3 months of service (which is no draft and not military)! There's college, retirement, childrens health care. I'd do it 5 times over if it meant that I would be able to better assist my city in a time of crisis. If the people of NYC, New Orleans and many others had the training that this plan is explaining there would have been much less chaos at the time of 9/11 and the floods.
READ, READ, READ. People shouldn't start complaining about things they don't fully understand. It's a small book. It's not hard. Educate yourself.
The people need everything that 'the plan' offers and I'm backing Emanuel/Reed no matter what. Get off your asses and help your country. Bush is out and we need to pull together and fix this place up. Where there's a will there's a way.

D.R. of NY 4:17PM February 18, 2009

Yes! Mandatory civilian service for ALL fit young American men and women, NO exceptions. Pay extra for military duty, but after at least (2) years all get some GI Bill type aid, which has historically given far more back to America than it cost. But our civilization is in decline, and the selfish parents/kids can't even conceive of anything larger than their egos. Adios America...

ChristmasTree of NY 4:01PM February 18, 2009

This will make a lovely addition to the Fairness Doctrine. Hail Oceania, comrade!

Winston Smith of MN 3:55PM February 18, 2009

Everyone wants it now and thinks it's their right to have it, and if they can't afford it let the taxpayers pay for.
Someone tell my why I am still working, paying my bills, and my taxes?
I would love to see what would happen if 50%+ of Americans would "forget" to pay their taxes this year. They might get a position in the Obama Administration.

Larry of CA 3:53PM February 18, 2009

Interesting logic. If they're getting government money shouldn't they do community service. Let's apply that to those receiving unemployment and welfare. Oh, wait, they just eliminated welfare reform in the stimulus bill? You mean some people aren't even going to school with our money and they're not required to work for it? I'd like to see one Republican with some guts raise that issue.

TJ of PA 3:41PM February 18, 2009

Of course people who are given loans, etc., by the country "owe something back" -- what they owe is to get on with their lives, building careers and families as they themselves see fit. By leading their lives, they are making the country stronger, and thereby paying us back. They should not be required to spend 3 years, 3 months or 3 minutes doing what some government official thinks is useful for them to be doing: they themselves are the best judges of what is useful, and the country benefits the most from them being left alone to pursue it.

david of CA 3:41PM February 18, 2009

I don't agree that the country "owes anyone help to get ahead". That assistance can help differentiate a society but it is not "owed". How did we get to the point where citizens do not believe they owe service to their country? Every citizen has an obligation to the greater society and country. The parasitic view that the country/government owes us but we have no obligation unless we get something for it creates a lazy, self-serving mindset that benefits no one in the long term. The proposed 3-month term is much too short to get a return that will offset the expense. Every citizen should have an obligatory service period of 3-4 years. This period could be served in any government branch - not necessarily the military.

Jim of NJ 3:26PM February 18, 2009