Should we have a compulsory national service requirement?

[xrMike]

I think it's a great idea. I see far too many punks driving around the neighborhood in daddy's car, wearing their ballcaps backward, cell-phone stuck in their ear, stereo bumping waaaaay too loud, no respect for anybody at all, not even their parents, and it's obvious that a little military and/or public service would do them a lot of good. Stupid punks, pull up yer pants fer chrissakes.

[SemiAutoSam]

Ditto to that it has to be voluntary as anything else is against the (Constitutional Law) highest law in the nation.

Now that I could get behind. Something to ease the transition from child in high school to adult on their own, more or less. As long as it's voluntary, it's fine with me. It'd have to have some teeth, so if the kid screws up too much, out they go. No coddling, no right to attend, voluntary ... like any job.

[xrMike]

Ditto to that it has to be voluntary as anything else is against the (Constitutional Law) highest law in the nation.

The Constitution was specifically written so it could be changed, as the needs of society changed. It was never intended to be something inviolate. Sacred yes, but not inviolate.

The military/public service thing really is a good idea. It'll never fly though, since we have become too selfish as a nation to ever allow such a good idea to actually happen.

[SemiAutoSam]

Yes that is true although it would take alot to change it as it stands at the moment its LAW.

The Constitution was specifically written so it could be changed, as the needs of society changed. It was never intended to be something inviolate. Sacred yes, but not inviolate.

The military/public service thing really is a good idea. It'll never fly though, since we have become too selfish as a nation to ever allow such a good idea to actually happen.

[wutzu]

Of the calgunners who think conscription/national service is a good idea:

What do you think of imminent domain?

Do you yearn for friends and family to learn about civic duty by being evicted from their house, farm, etc? If the city decided that the "public good" would be better served by knocking down your house and putting up a housing project, would you be glad that you could help your fellow citizens?

Or what if the city decided that the public good would be served through the creation of more jobs for the city's residents? Perhaps your house was in a prime location for a restaurant or a strip-mall. Would you eagerly hand them the keys, or would you be "selfish" and put your interests above those of your peers?

Now swap "house" for "blood relative". Is it any more palatable?

But instead of the public good being defined vaguely as "more housing" or "more jobs", perhaps now it means "using our tax dollars more efficiently". Maybe it means your son spends two years as a sanitation worker. Or a pipe-fitter. Or a construction worker. All those industries are unionized: wouldn't it be cheaper to use slave labor to do those jobs? A cot and three squares a day is a damned sight cheaper than $35 an hour with a 4 hour minimum, plus retirement benefits. And besides, your kid will get to learn a trade he can put to use once he's finished his service. Unless he gets stop-lossed.

Hell, the city could even save money on healthcare! All we'd need to do is conscript a few doctors, dentists, optometrists, and they could work for their room and board too.

National Service is nothing more than Communist Serfdom dolled up with stars and stripes.

Heinlein said it best:

No state has an inherent right to survive through conscript troops and, in the long run, no state ever has.

[TonyNorCal]

What do you think of imminent domain?

I am for imminent domain in certain circumstance. Although I agree it's a tough issue. For example, if a city (Los Angeles) has increased to such a point that the existing transportation infrastructure is crippled and inadequate then I am for imminent domain if that's that it takes to widen the freeway. I don't believe things should grind to a halt and millions suffer so that people can keep their homes. Of course, I am all for fair market value as compensation.

Now, when it comes to a small city. Should a city be allowed to declare imminent domain to build a WalMart? I'm not so sure about that.

Like many things in society there I don't think there is one hard and fast answer. I do feel that there are circumstances in which the greater good has to triumph. But I also feel imminent domain can and is abused.

That's my answer

[Charliegone]

On this I can agree on. Mandatory requirement in something you like is a better solution than a draft just for one organization. AT least people have a choice, plus they will have some skill when entering the real world (assuming this would be after high school.)

[socalguns]

Of course, I am all for fair market value as compensation.

Fair-market-value miazz. If you want it so bad you have to take it by force, you should pay at least 3 times the fair-market-value. If its not on the market, there is no fair-market-value Its called supply and demand!

[ZapThyCat]

No way.... anything that gives the gov't more power is a big "no-no" in my book...

[3rd_gear]

I think madatory service is a great idea, but it is not needed now. But if you serve, you should get additional benefits. As soupnazi pointed out from the movie "starship troopers", those who serve qualify for citizenship and have the privilege of voting. The government already has mandates that all males at the age of 18 register for selective services or you cannot not recieve federal financial aid for college

[SemiAutoSam]

If they want to have a draft that's one thing but to sneak this thing in to have all it all setup to be ready for a draft in my opinion is totally wrong.

But I guess all one would have to do if they ever do reinstate the draft that is if you didn't want to be drafted is to just not raise your hand or not take that step forward or what ever it is that they do at the swearing in ceremony.

I don't know the words to use to say how wrong it is for selective service
system to even exist But in my opinion the only way they get anyone to bend to their demands is they blackmail you.

you can get what you need in life if you don't register. You cant get a Driver License cant even attend a university let alone get aid to better yourself.

I think mandatory service is a great idea, but it is not needed now. But if you serve, you should get additional benefits. As soupnazi pointed out from the movie "starship troopers", those who serve qualify for citizenship and have the privilege of voting. The government already has mandates that all males at the age of 18 register for selective services or you cannot not recieve federal financial aid for college

[patsline74]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I was going to say something. Cant. Remember. What.

[Noobert]

Mandatory service might produce more Gomer Pyles

[yellowfin]

I consider being part of the pro-gun effort as national service, as it's fighting for freedom against enemies of the Constitution. Quite honestly if we spent 1/10th the amount of money and effort by as many individuals fighting against the anti gun people who are trying to do the exact same things as Stalin, Mao, Castro, Kadafi, and many other enemies of ours have wanted to do as we have against the foreign threats, we wouldn't be having the problems we have. It's ironic and disgusting that we consider domestic enemies of our 2nd Amendment rights and our economic rights differently than we do a terrorist or enemy army.

[pitchbaby]

While I actually admire the way they do it in Israel (They have a compulsory service requirement), I feel that it flies in the face of the notion of living in a free country. Even though hard workers like me and the rest of us don't appreciate lazy slackers... it's their right to be a slacker. If we take that right away from them... we might as well check our firearms at the capitol building and leave them there.