- 25 Feb 2009 20:12
#1814920
In order to further set the intent of this blog I will be reposting, a somewhat edited version of "Demo's Grand Theory of Everything" here in this space before proceding on with further articles of interest to me. (The link to this is available in its entiredy in the first entry).
This week I shall tackle my views on Mandatory National Service. Though in the past Mandatory National Service has simply meant Conscription to the nation's military, I envision something broader that focuses on bringing all of us together as we work for one another, and those in other nations. Probably a highly idealistic program with an outcome that frankly would only work with the right people in charge simply because the potential is there for this to become just another meaningless program drunk on its own beaurocracy. I don't have the space to detail the steps necessary to avoid such beaurocratic nightmares, but perhaps one can read the proposal and understand the intent to run a "clean" ship.
One further note is that high school diplomas would be required of all pre-citizens to participate in any of these branches, save the military.
Mandatory National Service
I know, a whole lotta leftisits hate this idea. But fear not! This more inclusive type of government service is not based soley on military service, though that is an option. There are no exceptions to this requirement, and you are considered a citizen with full voting rights and privleges (Which will be explained in full later, assume I take a Heinlien-esque stance for now) once you have completed your two year term. The program is completely non-discriminatory as all races, sexes, creeds, and social statuses will comply. The only possible exceptions are those with physical or mental limitations, but even these people shall be required to serve and exceptions shall be handled within the branch they choose to serve.
Participants would live in community housing with one another and would be "deployed" at the beginning of each day to their assignments. Various physical activites would be a part of each program's daily routine. All branches would receive training relevant to their specialization prior to being deployed on any actual assignment. Pre-citizens, as those who have yet to serve shall be called, would earn ranks as they progress through their choosen program. With each rank gaining various privledges. Competition among pre-citizens would be encouraged within their various fields of study/work. Immigrants would be expected, regardless of age, to participate prior to earning resident status, yet successful completion would also guarentee them citizenship.
There would be four branches to choose from:
1) Military: Which is self explanatory. Pre-citizens may choose any of the standing branches they will serve in, or test into, depending on requirements. US Army, US Navy, USAF, US Marine Corp, US Coast Guard
2) Non-military Domestic service: Essentially an expansion of Americorp Americorp as president Obama has expressed a desire to do, though perhaps I am even proposing a plan beyond his scope. Pre-citizens will work hand in hand with businesses and would likely do anything from road work and public clean up to interning with public service agencies and other non-profits.
3) Foreign Service: An expansion of the peace corp. Pre-citizens would go to foreign nations, and render aid to the poorest of the poor. Work would include every aspect of the peace corp's current mission. Peace Corp Some training in the local customs and laws would be included. You would serve one year in one country and your second year in another. The most likely destinations are in South America and Africa.
4) Science Corp: This specially designed unit would operate in similar fashion to the others and would partner with private business and other organizations that are technically part of the military, like NASA, to train the young in hard sciences and prepare them for more extensive education in four year colleges (and beyond). With the right kind of program, the participants in this division might even receive a number of college credits in a choosen field. For the time being, the focus of the Science Corp would be in one of four very broad fields, which also may be choosen by the participant: Energy, Medical, Exploration, and Theoretical. Again, tests of appitude may be required. This should be seen in a way, as the lone exemption field, in fact if not in essence. Essentially I am saying, you will complete a two year term of service UNLESS you elect to serve in the Science Corp, where you will essentially just be getting a jumpstart on your college career. Participants in this Corp will still earn their citizenship just as anyone else would. The intent of the inclusion of such an unorthodox branch of service is simply the recognition that technology has always determined a civilization's ultimate long term success. That the US has fallen so far behind the rest of the western world is inexcusable.
There is further intent included in this provision. The first is a building of ties to the nation we all live in. As Mandatory National Service shall be required of all citizens, it is hoped that the connections forged within shall create opportunities where none existed before. By meeting and interacting with one another and the public in some way, it is thought that these networks shall proivde dividends later in life.
The specific training that would be provided to all the pre-citizens in their choosen branch of service would also set the ground work for higher education or help lead them to greater specialization down the road, making them more marketable. Should the pre-citizen choose not to continue in their given field, they would still possess the necessary skills for entry level work in the private sector, where nothing as widely available as this exists today.
Those in service shall recieve a modest stipend that would increase with rank, though their labor would be intended to help the program pay for itself in order to offset the likely high cost of implementation. This aspect may seem somewhat...unfair to some, and may seem like some sort of short term slavery, it is not intended thusly. If one takes the opinion that one's labor in the program is provided as in investment on the individual's part then surely the resulting opportunity that would develop as a result of participation provides a healthy return.
The over all intent of the program is to help the individual while also helping the nation. Let's also not forget the potential for crime reduction in two major ways: Education (The best crime prevention method), and the forging of ties to other demograhics (A more indirect method).
Discuss the issue here
This week I shall tackle my views on Mandatory National Service. Though in the past Mandatory National Service has simply meant Conscription to the nation's military, I envision something broader that focuses on bringing all of us together as we work for one another, and those in other nations. Probably a highly idealistic program with an outcome that frankly would only work with the right people in charge simply because the potential is there for this to become just another meaningless program drunk on its own beaurocracy. I don't have the space to detail the steps necessary to avoid such beaurocratic nightmares, but perhaps one can read the proposal and understand the intent to run a "clean" ship.
One further note is that high school diplomas would be required of all pre-citizens to participate in any of these branches, save the military.
Mandatory National Service
I know, a whole lotta leftisits hate this idea. But fear not! This more inclusive type of government service is not based soley on military service, though that is an option. There are no exceptions to this requirement, and you are considered a citizen with full voting rights and privleges (Which will be explained in full later, assume I take a Heinlien-esque stance for now) once you have completed your two year term. The program is completely non-discriminatory as all races, sexes, creeds, and social statuses will comply. The only possible exceptions are those with physical or mental limitations, but even these people shall be required to serve and exceptions shall be handled within the branch they choose to serve.
Participants would live in community housing with one another and would be "deployed" at the beginning of each day to their assignments. Various physical activites would be a part of each program's daily routine. All branches would receive training relevant to their specialization prior to being deployed on any actual assignment. Pre-citizens, as those who have yet to serve shall be called, would earn ranks as they progress through their choosen program. With each rank gaining various privledges. Competition among pre-citizens would be encouraged within their various fields of study/work. Immigrants would be expected, regardless of age, to participate prior to earning resident status, yet successful completion would also guarentee them citizenship.
There would be four branches to choose from:
1) Military: Which is self explanatory. Pre-citizens may choose any of the standing branches they will serve in, or test into, depending on requirements. US Army, US Navy, USAF, US Marine Corp, US Coast Guard
2) Non-military Domestic service: Essentially an expansion of Americorp Americorp as president Obama has expressed a desire to do, though perhaps I am even proposing a plan beyond his scope. Pre-citizens will work hand in hand with businesses and would likely do anything from road work and public clean up to interning with public service agencies and other non-profits.
3) Foreign Service: An expansion of the peace corp. Pre-citizens would go to foreign nations, and render aid to the poorest of the poor. Work would include every aspect of the peace corp's current mission. Peace Corp Some training in the local customs and laws would be included. You would serve one year in one country and your second year in another. The most likely destinations are in South America and Africa.
4) Science Corp: This specially designed unit would operate in similar fashion to the others and would partner with private business and other organizations that are technically part of the military, like NASA, to train the young in hard sciences and prepare them for more extensive education in four year colleges (and beyond). With the right kind of program, the participants in this division might even receive a number of college credits in a choosen field. For the time being, the focus of the Science Corp would be in one of four very broad fields, which also may be choosen by the participant: Energy, Medical, Exploration, and Theoretical. Again, tests of appitude may be required. This should be seen in a way, as the lone exemption field, in fact if not in essence. Essentially I am saying, you will complete a two year term of service UNLESS you elect to serve in the Science Corp, where you will essentially just be getting a jumpstart on your college career. Participants in this Corp will still earn their citizenship just as anyone else would. The intent of the inclusion of such an unorthodox branch of service is simply the recognition that technology has always determined a civilization's ultimate long term success. That the US has fallen so far behind the rest of the western world is inexcusable.
There is further intent included in this provision. The first is a building of ties to the nation we all live in. As Mandatory National Service shall be required of all citizens, it is hoped that the connections forged within shall create opportunities where none existed before. By meeting and interacting with one another and the public in some way, it is thought that these networks shall proivde dividends later in life.
The specific training that would be provided to all the pre-citizens in their choosen branch of service would also set the ground work for higher education or help lead them to greater specialization down the road, making them more marketable. Should the pre-citizen choose not to continue in their given field, they would still possess the necessary skills for entry level work in the private sector, where nothing as widely available as this exists today.
Those in service shall recieve a modest stipend that would increase with rank, though their labor would be intended to help the program pay for itself in order to offset the likely high cost of implementation. This aspect may seem somewhat...unfair to some, and may seem like some sort of short term slavery, it is not intended thusly. If one takes the opinion that one's labor in the program is provided as in investment on the individual's part then surely the resulting opportunity that would develop as a result of participation provides a healthy return.
The over all intent of the program is to help the individual while also helping the nation. Let's also not forget the potential for crime reduction in two major ways: Education (The best crime prevention method), and the forging of ties to other demograhics (A more indirect method).
Discuss the issue here
- By FiveofSwords
- By noemon