Obama urges citizens to undertake national service

[ginge51]

WASHINGTON – Calling on Americans to volunteer, President Barack Obama signed a $5.7 billion national service bill Tuesday that triples the size of the AmeriCorps service program over the next eight years and expands ways for students to earn money for college. "What this legislation does, then, is to help harness this patriotism and connect deeds to needs," said Obama, a former community organizer in Chicago.

"It creates opportunities to serve for students, seniors and everyone in between," he said. "And it is just the beginning of a sustained, collaborative and focused effort to involve our greatest resource — our citizens — in the work of remaking this nation."

Joining Obama was Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, who has been battling brain cancer. Kennedy championed the legislation with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and the bill was named in honor of the Massachusetts Democrat.

Kennedy told the audience that included former President Bill Clinton, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and former first lady Rosalyn Carter that Obama's efforts echoed those of his late brother, President John F. Kennedy.

"Today, another young president has challenged another generation to give back to their nation," Kennedy said, citing his brother's advocacy for the Peace Corps.

The service law expands ways for students and seniors to earn money for college through their volunteer work. It aims to foster and fulfill people's desire to make a difference, such as by mentoring children, cleaning up parks or buildings and weatherizing homes for the poor.

"I'm asking you to help change history's course, put your shoulder up against the wheel," Obama said. "And if you do, I promise you your life will be richer, our country will be stronger, and someday, years from now, you may remember it as the moment when your own story and the American story converged, when they came together, and we met the challenges of our new century."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090421/...tional_service

[Kiljan Arslan]

this is a good thing people should serve their nation.

[Zephyrus]

this is a good thing people should serve their nation.

Feels like a communist slogan to me.

[Kiljan Arslan]

Feels like a communist slogan to me.

You know I actually was inspired by a libertarian to believe that. Albeit to me you also shjould serve to receive benefits.

[Zephyrus]

You know I actually was inspired by a libertarian to believe that. Albeit to me you also shjould serve to receive benefits.

Tch, I got you beat on that since I got enlisted back in December!

However, I view this obligatory requirement to our fellow citizens with some foreboding. America was not made to become entirely socialist. With more government and less free enterprise... I don't see how this could benefit us in the long term. Competition is what makes democratic enterprises thrive.

[Kiljan Arslan]

Tch, I got you beat on that since I got enlisted back in December!

However, I view this obligatory requirement to our fellow citizens with some foreboding. America was not made to become entirely socialist. With more government and less free enterprise... I don't see how this could benefit us in the long term. Competition is what makes democratic enterprises thrive.

Oh I'm against obligation although I am for giving people incentives (like from now on SSI is determined if you served at least two years, along with a chance to have free health care, and for the government to help you if your down on your luck.

[C-Rob]

a good thing, but something conspiracy theorists are jumping on as "Hitler youth camps" and whatever.

[s.rwitt]

"What this legislation does, then, is to help harness this patriotism and connect deeds to needs," said Obama

*Flush* Another 5.7 billion down the drain.

[C-Rob]

*Flush* Another 5.7 billion down the drain.

Into my pocket.

[JP226]

Into my pocket.

in inflation

[s.rwitt]

Keep telling yourself that.

[C-Rob]

Keep telling yourself that.

in inflation

Somehow I think maybe someone took me seriously. That gets 2 's

[André Masséna]

I don't need Obama to tell me what I allready know, that I should serve my country.

[Jianadaren]

It worked in WWII. Unemployment rises; unemployed join the army; unemployed get blown up; no more unemployment!

[The Devil's Sergeant]

The best way to serve your country is to take step to to never be a dependent of other people.

[Georgy Zhukov]

Ask not what your country can do for you, but you for your country," At least he's not forcing people to do it but incentives are a good way to encourage community service.

[Visna]

Ask not what your country can do for you, but you for your country,"

Yeah. And the one who said that got shot in the head. A pity.
Oh well, I suppose whoever pulled the trigger believed he did it "for his country".

[Gelgoog]

Yeah. And the one who said that got shot in the head. A pity.
Oh well, I suppose whoever pulled the trigger believed he did it "for his country".

actually he did it to impress another country..the USSR

so people shouldn't be able to get some reward for helping their society?

sure, you should be able to get free food... just go wait in a bread line for a few hours...then a meat line...

[Visna]

actually he did it to impress another country..the USSR

Oh he was caught and told why he did it? Interesting... Who was he?

[Gelgoog]

Oh he was caught and told why he did it? Interesting... Who was he?

duh, he was a die hard communist, he lived in russia for a short time and was a celebrity there. He came back to the US expecting big fanfare and it never happened. He was dying to be in the limelight, so he picked a high value target that would impress his communist pals.