<table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" ><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;"><DIV>Bear,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I think you misunderstood me. I am not saying National Service would be established for the purpose of indoctrination, just that it would likely happen. For example, if you required people to do it, you could sneak programs and belief systems into it, such as a creed of nationalism, D.A.R.E. Programs, etc. We do it with mandatory education programs for children, this would go to adults as well. A whole slew of special interest groups would be looking to tuck their program or requirement into the training and service. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Second, I don't think everyone fits the generic term of service. Remember, most US Citizens pay taxes directly or indirectly, and this is a form of service. I go to work and pay 20%+ of my income directly to taxes. I pay more on the property taxes through rent, gas tax, license taxes, clothing, food taxes, medication tax, and I am sure more I don't think about. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In addition, I think my jobs of working for a non-profit taking care of those with severe disabilities and the elderly is a service to the community, (especially considering the pay :P) and I am much better at it than something the government would pick for me. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>I think you are very correct that anyone that wishes to apply for a high paying government job should demonstrate they have contributed to their community in some way or fashion at some point. </DIV>
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<DIV>Best Regards,</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Donovan<BR><BR>--- On <B>Tue, 4/7/09, bear@moscow.com <I><bear@moscow.com></I></B> wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid"><BR>From: bear@moscow.com <bear@moscow.com><BR>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] National Service?<BR>To: "Donovan Arnold" <donovanjarnold2005@yahoo.com>, "Tom Hansen" <thansen@moscow.com>, bear@moscow.com, vision2020@moscow.com, "lfalen" <lfalen@turbonet.com><BR>Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2009, 1:06 PM<BR><BR>
<DIV class=plainMail>Donovan,<BR><BR>You missed my point, either intentionally or unintentionally.<BR><BR>First, national service is not a means of "indoctrination", and if it is, indoctrination<BR>to what?<BR><BR>Second, national service would be an obligation to the community/nation for all citizens,<BR>not <BR>just the few volunteers like it is now. <BR><BR>It's easy for folks to fly a POW flag, or hang a yellow ribbon and feel good about<BR>themselves, <BR>but what have they done to really advance either the community or to help those volunteers<BR><BR>when they do return to the community - NOTHING! <BR><BR>Don't worry though, there are always folks who will step up and be counted when help is <BR>needed. There are always a few that will go into harms way and defend those that aren't<BR>fit to <BR>even call themselves citizens. <BR><BR>The first question I ask NOW when ever to comes to a local election, local appointments,<BR>and <BR>even
positions like the UI president is: HAVE THEY SERVED? Did they put themselves out at<BR>any <BR>point, in any type of service to the community or did they sit on their collective butts<BR>and <BR>further themselves while others carried the spear, and now want to reap the rewards? But<BR>don't <BR>worry, most of them have hung out a yellow ribbon - an appropriate color for most of them!<BR><BR>It is because of this very national condition that events like Abu Grab occur. Do you<BR>think a <BR>group of soldiers that were drafted would have just stood by while the prisoners were<BR>abused?<BR>Do you think that a group of drafted soldiers would have stood around while "contractors" <BR>tortured<BR>captives?<BR><BR>---------------------------------------------<BR>This message was sent by First Step Internet.<BR> <A href="http://www.fsr.com/"
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