Obama Plans Conscription

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2003
Obama Plans Conscription
43
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 5:19am

Rahm Emmanuel says:


It's time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, All Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service. ...


Here's how it would work. Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They'll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we're hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities' most pressing needs.


Emanuel and co-author Bruce Reed insist "this is not a draft," but go on to write of young men and women, "the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service." They also warn, "ome Republicans will squeal about individual freedom," ruling out any likelihood that they would let people opt out of universal citizen service.


Do they intend to disregard the 13th Amendment?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2005
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 5:29am
Can you provide a link?
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 5:35am

We already have the National Guard.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-20-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 6:19am
That is an interesting idea. I wonder if it is actually being proposed or just a theoretical proposal? I do remember Obama saying he wanted to provide more financial aid for college in exchange for community service. I wonder if this is one of the ideas being floated for that? It would be interesting to see the whole article so we could get the context for the proposal. I don't see educating young people about community service and serving their nation as a bad thing per se, but would need more information to make an informed judgment.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 7:02am
And what about the kids who are in college????
iVillage Member
Registered: 08-15-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 7:17am

I'm sorry, the draft is nothing like slavery.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-09-2007
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 7:28am

Jess


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 8:35am

I think serving our country for three months in the summer and learning how to be useful to the country during a time of attack or disaster would be a wonderful thing to do.

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 8:55am
Last time I checked, Rahm Emanuel isn't the president elect.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 9:24am

Oh, that's funny!

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2008
Wed, 11-12-2008 - 9:40am

Hey, you have a siggy!

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