[mattduke]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', ' ')Responding to what he called “a moment for national service,” Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., introduced four bills Tuesday that would increase federal spending for community volunteer initiatives.

The ambitious legislation would “create the architecture and the structure that will serve as the invitation for everyone to serve,” Dodd said. The bills would target everyone from schoolchildren to the elderly and aim to create new bases of volunteers beyond the usual young-adult pool of service-program participants.

[gollum]

Maybe all those bankers can take up national service as a way to thank the american people for all the goodies, My kids will not be taking part in any national service scheme.

[Ferretlover]

I already Have a volunteer job, thank you very much, Sen. Dodd!

[dinopello]

These type things should be handled at the local level!

When things get really bad, communities that have a structure and experience at working together and reaching consensus in the face of stress and disagreements have a much better chance at weathering the situation. Some communities have locally grown this over time and have an engaged population that is not apathetic.

The areas of the country that do not have this will more likely descend into chaos. Maybe the Feds should work on ideas to contain those communities so they don't spill out into the ones that have their house in order. Or, is that what the "FEMA camps" are for ?

[Ainan]

Communism. The future of the USA. Don't give up your guns American POers.

http://afghanistanica.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/amerruss_flag_promo.jpg

[Revi]

I think it's a great idea. I served my country for over 6 years. I don't see why volunteer service is a bad thing. Americorps and things like that are great. I know all sorts of students who would be great for a program like this. There is a monster depression out there and this sure beats the choices a lot of kids face. Those who need money for college would be able to do some meaningful work and then move on to college without a lot of debt. I have a master's degree thanks to my service.