Civilian Security Force (HR 1388)

[chip5541]

Not much in the news about this because of all the AIG news. Wednesday the GIVE Act passed the House. The service targets people ages 18 - 25. Would this not be a drain on the US military?

Worldnetdaily article: http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=92288

[Terry Penrod]

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I would assume so Chip and the negative impact on our military aside, I hate the whole idea of turning national volunteerism into a program of forced service - especially with mandatory uniforms, mandatory indocrination training and mandatory camps. Worse is that each of these so-called "campuses" would have what amounts to an overseer or "superintendent" (read state-appointed petty dictator).

This idea smacks of Hitler Youth, Big Brother and the Personality Cult of Stalinism where "The State" becomes your benevolent, lifelong master in all things.

That said, I strongly support legitimate volunteer organizations / non-profits and using a certain amount of tax dollars to help them.

Cheers, Terry

[Lou Cypher]

I lived in Spain for a little bit, and while thier there was this force called the Guardia Civil, it wouldn't exactly be the same as this bill proposes but when I read it the Guardia Civil came to mind.
And believe it or not I completly agree with Terry on this one, but who exactly would this "force" answer to, the President?, Congress?, the Govenor of each state?, does it say?

Lou :globe:

[Mikell]

It works for some countries. But this country....It would have been hard enough on my generation. The current generation has a different Ipod in each ear.
No offense to the younger crowd.:wink:

[pcfreak]

I don't really know how popular the idea would be in the US, but I would love to see all 16yr olds do national service for 2 yrs here in the UK. I would send my kids to do it quite willingly too. I probably wouldn't get their vote for the father of the year award if I ever did though, but I think that they would learn and develop so much in those 2 yrs.

I doubt we will ever see the return of national service in the UK, but I wish they had it when I left school. There weren't many prospects when we left in 89, as the recession was just taking hold, and alot of industries had taken a real beating. There was no such thing as a job for life anymore. Here in my town, we had the mining industry and our famous rail plant works. Maggie Thatcher killed the mining industry in the early 80's and the plant works was scaling down at that time (it's no longer here now and houses are currently being built on the grounds). Both had seen generations of the same families working at them for years. So if you left school unqualified, it was a very hard slog to get a job. I ended up going to catering college. When we left school, there were loads of kids my age who didn't bother trying to look for work much because everyone was going by the media, and had the attitude that there were no jobs, so why bother. If we had National Service back then, at least it would have given kids like that something to do and a sense of direction in their lives.

Then there are the layabouts, who make a career out of living on social security hand outs. They should be given so long to find a job, and if they don't in that time, then they should be made to do some form of paid work that will benifit both them and the community. We have gone soft in the UK, and that's why we have immigrants crossing Europe to try and get in here. It's about time we instilled some work ethics in those who haven't got it, and helped those who have but cant get a job.

[Mighty Pirate]

I think mandatory national service would be very unpopular with the populace as well as the military. My father hated his time in the army and resented being kidnapped. However, he did say it taught boys how to be men by which he meant, neat and tidy and hard working with proper hygiene standards and self-respect etc. Is that what all these layabout depressed under-educated, unqualified teens need? (yes, she says laughing).

Perhaps unemployment could be paid for 6 months only and then vocational training must be undertaken or perhaps 18 months in the military - just to get them off the streets away from drugs and booze.

I'd also like to see sewing and cooking taught in schools again, and possibly baby care. LOL

[Rob]

I look around at the college and see so many low life's whose main goal is to get drunk, be loud and if anyone tells them otherwise, you will get an explicative filled earful. What is worse is to then hear them say they want to be teachers, doctors, councilors or anyone else who works with the public and all you can do is cringe.

Then you look at the ROTC members and they are polite, quiet and helpful. Mandatory two years would be great.

[Artman]

Forced Volunteering is the worst Oxymoron there is.

People resent having to do Jury Duty.

[D.evina]

What does Obama mean by having a civilian security force as well financed as the military? What would their role be?