Thread: Should public service be Law?

heard before that in some countries it is mandetory for everyone to serve two years in the military after high school.

I thought this was a really bad idea at first but it made sense the more I thought about it. So for sake of a fun debate what would you think if we decided to do something such as the following:

2 yrs public service right after high school for all no matter of status or income. Your term could be served in any public needed area such as military, peace corp, national parks, shelters, EMS, fire, police, etc. Everyone wold be compensated and terms could be broken into smaller time frames such as summers or part-time.

I think it would help teach kids pride, responsibility, would enrich their lifes, would make them appreciate things more than video games.

I'm sure I'll be flamed for this ut keep in mind it is for sake of a fun debate and a new idea.

What impact would this type of program have?

I have thought about this too - I lived in South Korea where military service is law for all males and it seemed like there was some good to it.

It wouldn't be a military requirement, although that would be an option, but you could plant trees or teach English or even do office work for the government - depending on where your interests and skills lie.

I am loathe to make anything mandatory though... mostly because I'm just loathe in general . I do think the idea has merit and would support it with a vote if it came up.

Especially in North America where young people can easily forget that life is actually tough and that something is expected of them beyond wicked phat rhymes and braided hair.

(Calm down Fes... I'm exagerating, haha)

*fumes*

I think it's a good idea, but most Democrats would never accept it in a million years.

So, it would never work.

Paid jobs for poor youth at government expense? Are you kidding? They'd love it.

The only people who wouldn't like it is.... teenagers who actually have to DO it.

It's like when they do polls on wars and find that young men in their 20's are universally against the draft.

I actually think most of it is a good idea. We SHOULD provide public service as it will only be benificial to everyone and the planet itself.

To be technical, as a freshman, you should be evaluated to see where you strengths lie. If you're good at gardening, why send that person to be an infantryman? So, by the time you are a Junior, you have already had classes that will prepare you for your civil service. Might as well make it worth everyone's while.

That could work. The military thing is a bit different to me, but that's just me.

We could make public service mandatory if we were willing to change the language in the constitution, the word free would have to have one of these * next to it.

yeah - I choke on that a bit too. Making it optional but rewarding would defeat the purpose. But having it as a way for people to get experience on a resume and PAID job training.

Alright... make it an option, not a duty. But push the duty part of it hard. Social pressure (wink wink)

Like Comunism, great in theory but holds little water in practice.

I think anyone who wants to be president should have some time in the military.

I disagree. My boyfriend didn't went to the military, he was making social service insteand. I think helping your comunity is far better than learning how to shoot a weapon.