[Peace-discuss] [Fwd: [ronpaul-207] "Compulsory universal service" for ages 18-25]

[C. G. Estabrook]

Wayne--

Instead of opposing this, we should support it -- with improvements.

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 service.

Such service shall be remunerated with a living wage, defined as the annual
amount necessary to support a family, acquire a residence, transportation, etc.

After the initial three months, such adequately-remunerated work may be resumed
at any point of the citizen's choosing, and for as long as s/he may wish.

Such service shall include military service.

The manner in which tasks are accomplished shall be determined democratically by
those engaged in them.  Notably, labor may be withdrawn with no loss of pay when
the task violates the conscience of the worker -- by, e.g., environmental
destruction, military devastation, etc.

I'm sure you can think of other improvements.  I'm also sure that we agree that
an anarchist society has to be a highly organized one.  (Anarchism doesn't mean
no rules -- just no rulers.)

Regards, CGE



E. Wayne Johnson wrote:
> 
> 
> -------- Original Message -------- Subject: 	[ronpaul-207] "Compulsory
> universal service" for ages 18-25 Date: 	Sun, 9 Nov 2008 21:58:56 -0500 From:
> Kurt Fiech <kfiech at hotmail.com> Reply-To: 	ronpaul-207 at meetup.com To:
> ronpaul-207 at meetup.com
> 
> 
> 
> Obama's chief of staff choice favors compulsory universal service
> 
> Rep. Rahm Emanuel <http://www.house.gov/emanuel/photos.shtml> of Illinois,
> President-Elect Barack Obama's choice for chief of staff in his incoming
> administration, is co-author of a book, /The Plan: Big Ideas for America/ 
> <http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1586484125/>, that calls for, among other
> things, compulsory service for all Americans ages 18 to 25. The following
> excerpt is from pages 61-62 of the 2006 book:
> 
> 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, "[s]ome Republicans will squeal about
> individual freedom," ruling out any likelihood that they would let people opt
> out of universal citizen service.
> 
> As chief of staff, Emanuel will not be in a position to directly introduce
> public policy, but his enthusiasm for compulsory service, combined with
> Barack Obama's own plan to require high school students to perform 50 hours
> of government-approved service 
> <http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-Liberties-Examiner%7Ey2008m9d17-The-plausibly-deniable-draft--Obamas-very-modern-take-on-national-service>,
> suggest an unfortunate direction for the new administration.