help with the other side of the debate...?

Question

k now im on the pro side... here it is:

Topic: National Service

Resolved: The United States federal government should establish a policy substantially increasing the number of persons serving in one or more of the following national service programs: AmeriCorps, Citizen Corps, Senior Corps, Peace Corps, Learn and Serve America, Armed Forces.

so since im on pro, the basic argument is that im trying to back up why the US should establish a policy (eg. draft, but open to any other policy) increasing the # of ppl participating in national service. any reasons and solid evidence or backup is greatly appreciated...

Answer 1

Bush and the Republicans cut out most of those programs except the military. He in turn re-appropriated the American funds to the churches who don't pay any taxes.

Answer 2

Communism (definition) is the social system which controls the Factors of Production. This is the means to provide "Services" and produce the Goods which are distributed to citizens. Karl Marx is quoted: "From each according to ability, To each according to need." Planned societies have revealed the failure of this social structure. Slavery is a form of the "Industrial Army" of Citizen Corps, AmeriCorps, etc., which would be staffed by conscription - such as the press gangs which got the sailors for the British Navy. Those who are forced into military service are not motivated to do their best. Mises.org Human Action (book): Observations on the Causes of the Decline of Ancient Civilization
http://www.mises.org/humanaction/chap30sec2.asp

Answer 3

OH This is such an obvious answer. The government has draft registries because this generation is full of cowards, whiners, and chicken-spits. Since the removal of religion in schools (thanks to a embezzling woman who cheated her own charity) this country as seen a drastic decline in young adults assuming responsibility for anything let alone the freedoms they take for granted. Draft dodging is seen now as no big deal when in truth all draft dodgers actually committed treason(punishable by death during war). Kids would rather eat McDonald's and play cop-killer games on PlayStation then stand up against the wrongs of this world. And the few kids that do enlist in these services quickly get out as soon as they can since they ACTUALLY have to WORK to earn free college money. If parents were aloud to smack their kids on the butt and teach discipline we wouldn't need a draft anymore because kids would have a sense of responsibility rather than a sense of entitlement.

Answer 4

Not necessarily.

The armed forces are only 1 of the branches considered in your list. What this debate is really about is: a) how the gov't should market volunteering to the public b) the importance of what additional persons could do c) why national service is an important part of our culture and heritage as Americans.

Basically, you have to take the mindset of a patriot (no, not a Republican). Find out what some of these agencies do and find out some of the missions they engage which you personally believe are important (this will motivate you to do a good job). After that, outline some common ways organizations advertise job offerings to their target markets and research the resources those organizations have in order to attract more people into working for them.

Your counter argument should be saying how a lack of additional personnel will prevent these agencies from doing their jobs. Identify and define their greatest weaknesses and concentrate on how a wider lack of personnel will prevent them from getting their jobs done.

Answer 5

I see 3 things that are needed.

First, every able-bodied US citizen should (as part of the education process) mandatorily participate in a federal government sponsored organization that promotes and inculcates patriotic values. All of the organizations you mentioned qualify. Participation can take place over summer vacations, during the school year, after graduation - in any combination - so long as standard number of service hours have been accumulated.

Second, military conscription should apply only to family members of US Senators, Members of the US House and the Executive Branch - family members who fall within the appropriate age range - and only when a US military conflict or War has commenced. Conscription should be limited to one member per family, with fulll term of duty applied. If extended tours or multiple tours are applied (even to voluntary members of the armed forces), then such extensions and multiple tours shall be mandatorily applied to the family members desginated by this provision! All other family members may serve in the military or they must serve in one of the government sponsored organizations that promote patriotic values.

Thirdly, the same regulations should be applied to families of each and every corporate exectutive of companies benefitting directly or indirectly from such military engagements, including those companies that conceivably stand to benefit later on.

I am opposed to any military conscription as it becomes unncessary if and when all of the above points have been implemented.

Signed - Fred Diener, Vietnam Veteran, Awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medal

Answer 6

By requiring people to serve in a national service program they acquire an allegiance to their country by being a part of doing something the government stands for or defending our country.

In addition to the allegiance, people learn to adapt to a new social environment and meet people from all walks of life and ethnic back grounds. They also learn to work as a group instead of everyone working against each other for their own gains.

Answer 7

The National Services must be enforced against the citizens if there are no volunteers as a valid exercise of the police power of the state. The government or any institution to support is projects will not function if no people will be willing to work for them. Thus, in order for the state to function or to survive, people must be obligated to serve their country.

Answer 8

Con: The government is into our lives far to much now. There should be less government... not more. I do agree that giving of ones self to better the community is a good thing.... being forced to do that same service is tyranny. I believe that the private sector, weather faith based or secular, is far more capable of doing good than another bureaucracy. However for *any* system to work people must be willing to give of themselves. The direction that society is going these days (self gratification) I doubt that your plan would work.

Answer 9

Most of these programs get marginal results. Even the military as important as it is costs more than it is worth. Most of the money is spent on acquiring newer and more weapons. President Eisenhower warned against the military industrial complex. We didn't heed.

Answer 10

You might want to argue that nations that required a minimum of 2 years public service have a higher level of patriotism and love of country.