The editorial in the Fayetteville Observer.
Perhaps it’s time to encourage, if not compel, high school graduates and dropouts to give two years of service. It doesn’t have to be to the military, though that should be an option. It could also be an integral part of a national public works program, part of a solution to our recession woes. The program should be attractive, with the promise of reward at the end (such as an enhanced G.I. Bill).
Compulsory service is nothing but another name for SLAVERY. In a country whose Declaration of Independence states, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." stealing two years of someones life and forcing them to serve the state is WRONG.
Why should high school graduates, have to give up two year years of their life? Why not compel the editor who wrote this BS to give up two years of his life? or senior citizens or any other age group? A high school graduates life is just as valuable as any other age group and they should be at liberty to pursue happiness, in whatever way they choose.
HT: Daryl's rebuttal of the editorial, Epic fail.
OK, if I may...
ReplyDeleteTo a certain extent, taxation is also slavery in that we must work to pay our taxes. Therefore, we need to keep the taxes on our citizenry to a minimum. JMO.
We are quickly becoming a nation that cannot think for itself... if it is a "good" thing to volunteer, it must then be required. If it is "good" to stay in school until you're 18, it should be required, the reasoning seems to go.
Sigh. I think volunteering without feeling like it isn't a "good" thing and will lead to half-hearted and/or useless volunteers no organization really wants... or remaining in school until 18 will result in students who don't wish to learn/discipline problems.
It's still a good thing to volunteer and graduate from high school... but wow.
I wonder if you can even call it volunteering if you are forced to do it?
ReplyDeleteI also question why only one segment of our society was signal out for this compulsory service?
Everyone's circumstances are different, someone from a disadvantaged background may need to work as soon after high school as possible while rich kids might be willing to volunteer for a few years while Daddy foots the bill for their lifestyle.
OK, so at every point in my lifetime there have been things I'd rather not be forced to do. We all pay taxes - fail to do that and get arrested. I'm required to wear a tie for my job - fail that and risk losing your job. Am I a slave for being forced to wear a tie and pay taxes? I'll leave that debate for another day - but if slavery is being forced to do anything I'd rather not do...
ReplyDeleteIn quite a few countries around the world, a certain amount of military / community service is required of their young - partially to instill those values the country deems as important. South Korea, for example, *requires* two years of military service of men, to be served after high school during their twentysomething years.
'Encourage, if not compel' was the key phrase. While certain community service programs offer lots of opportunity, getting into these programs requires a certain commitment of time, effort, and money (as in the money you're likely giving up by enrolling in said program). I would love to see the 'encourage' part come to fruition - as in make it worth their time to participate, and value whatever experience they end up having. So long as it ends up being more formative than picking up trash from a highway, it's one option that can proudly go on a resume - and possibly make one stand out from the pack. To 'compel' me to provide service misses the point - after all, how many of us would do the work we currently do for free (if we weren't compelled to do so by the need to make money)?
The point is this is AMERICA not some other country, and compulsory service isn't compatible with our ideals of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like wearing a tie you are FREE to find a job that doesn't require you to wear a tie. Taxes are a whole other can of worms, but we supposedly receive something for the taxes we pay.
And why are high school graduates and dropouts being singled out. Because they are the ones with the weakest voice (they are just getting the right to vote). They wouldn't dare suggest that senior citizens (who have the AARP to speak for them) be compelled to give two years of service before enjoying their retirement.