Mandatory national service = citizenship? Your thoughts?

[mckitterick]

Re: this:
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/issues/alert/?alertid=5834001&content_dir=ua_congressorg

and this:
http://snopes.com/politics/military/draft.asp

Y'know, I would have no problem with requiring two years of national service right after high school of anyone who wishes to be an American citizen. Remember Heinlein? Sorta like that. But I disagree with Heinlein and others that it must be military service. In fact, that would counter the notion that this is good for America, because people would be force to do something they might be morally opposed to and cause protests.

However, most people (yes, most) right outta high school (or new to the country and seeking citizenship) ought to spend some time doing good for their country. Two years of paid volunteerism, seeing how the bottom half lives while becoming part of the country and learning who they are: That seems like a good idea.

If this resolution spelled out that the individual could pick their path (community projects, working with the homeless, cleaning up industrial spills, you name it), then I would support it! Honestly, how many kids are ready for college at 17 or 18? But I, for one, would have fought being forced into the military; heck, I would have bitched about having to do other service, but then kids of that age bitch just on principle.

How about you? Would you support mandatory national service where the hopeful citizen would be able to choose their path? A true rite of passage to citizenship. I predict it would increase the percentage of voters, too.

Chris

Comments

[mckitterick.livejournal.com]

Heck yeah, it would have done me a world of good to do something like rebuild old inner-city buildings for the homeless before going off to college. I suspect you'd get the same (maybe better) level of cameraderie among young workers as in college. Dorms and all, why not?!

Chris