Forced Volunteerism

During his campaign, Obama voiced a desire to establish a civilian “Volunteer Corps” which would be as large and well funded as the U.S. military. I must admit, when I first heard this proclamation, I assumed this was simply a cheesy metaphor for investing in our citizens’ education as a means for making or country safer and secure. Obviously, I was mistaken!

He also spoke regularly of “volunteerism” in exchange for college grants. I found this odd, considering it sounded as if it would be a forced arrangement, which obviously contradicts the term “volunteer”……..more “newspeak”, I suppose! Although I certainly believe in the idea of “volunteering”, I reject the idea of tit-for-tat “volunteerism”. You are essentially “working” for the state in exchange for a form of monetary compensation.

“Yes, Comrade, we will provide you with food and shelter in exchange for your dedicated “voluntary” service!!”

Anyway, it appears Congress is beginning to set the hamster wheel in motion by discussing legislation for a broad based civilian volunteer corps.

The U.S. House of Representatives has approved a plan to set up a new "volunteer corps" and consider whether "a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people" should be developed, says WND.

The legislation also indicates a need for uniforms and suggests a "public service academy, a 4-year institution" to "focus on training" future "public sector leaders." The training will take place on "campuses."

"The means to develop awareness of national service and “volunteer opportunities” at a young age by creating, expanding, and promoting service options for elementary and secondary school students, through service learning or other means, and by raising awareness of existing incentives."

Groups of such "volunteers," would, under the legislation, be "grouped together as appropriate in campuses for operational, support, and boarding purposes. The Corps campus for a unit shall be in a facility or central location established as the operational headquarters and boarding place for the unit. … There shall be a superintendent for each camp."

Obama’s Change.Org site even had the following snippet: "Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year." Forced volunteerism….oxy-moronic, perhaps?

Apparently, this is the “Volunteer Corps” Comrade Obama was referring to. Responsibilities will include: planting trees, reading to the elderly, and blowing a whistle when you hear a fellow citizen speaking negatively about our dear government and its leaders!