I NFORMEDdebate
YES
from members:
George Futas
Bellevue, WA
It’s an opportunity
for each young
person to gain an
understanding that
freedom comes from
responsible participation.
Cynthia Lally
Windsor, CT
There is a need for
help out there, it’s
very educational
and it teaches
responsibility.
PHOTODISC
Should some form
of national service
Trina Nelson
Cedar Hill, TX
It’s critical we train
people to work in our
communities, i.e., shelters, nursing homes,
elementary schools,
etc., not just the military.
be mandatory?
NO
from members:
THERE IS GROWING interest in requiring young Americans to participate
in some form of national service program. While this could include serving
in the military, it might also involve a variety of options so that a person
could work at an urban library, a homeless shelter or a health-care
institution, to name a few.
Supporters insist that at a time when the United States is threatened
by outside forces, national service would help to cure the apathy within the
nation’s borders. It would boost a sense of civic responsibility, help young
people learn new skills and create better, more productive citizens.
Opponents argue that making national service mandatory is tantamount
to indentured servitude. They add that it would be bad for the economy,
would generate significant costs and would replace low-paid service work-
ers with unpaid national service workers, forcing some people into poverty.
What do you think?
Donna Loucks
Centennial, CO
Americans should
donate their time
at their discretion.
Maybe some kind of
scholarship program
for hours donated.
Steve Moroz
Huntley, IL
America is still the
country of free choice.
Too many of our rights
have been taken
away—we need to
keep the few we have.
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
• www.everyoneserves.org/
• www.time.com/time/specials/2007/printout/0,29239,1657256_1657317_1657570,00.html
• http://volokh.com/posts/1190618819.shtml
Rob Crow III
Rockville, MD
The idea of serving in this sense is
very honorable, but
it should remain a
choice and strictly
voluntary.
