Voluntary work for the government to become mandatory in the USA?

[Donnajoe]

Not too long ago I posted a thread about how a relative of mine thinks that Obama is going to wreck the country and the economy and whatnot. Well... last night he told me something else, and I'd just like to know what you guys think of it.

Basically, he said that the government is trying to push a law that will make doing volunteer work for the government mandatory for everyone--that's how he put it, at least. I honestly don't know what law he was talking about, or where he got this data from. I didn't ask or anything.

I was just wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this, and if so, well... what's your take on it? What do you all think? Could we eventually reach a point where we'll be forced to do mandatory "volunteer" work, or is this just a bunch of hooey?

Discuss.

 

[canidae]

Haven't heard of this.

Pretty simple though - it's not voluntary if you're forced to do it. Makes no sense.

 

[Springsteen]

I do Voluntary work, i choose to do it. I'm not forced. Which makes this a contradiction in terms.

 

[flipx]

This makes no sense, and is such a contradiction as Springsteen said.

 

[Peter Parka]

Sounds a bit like national service which they did away with here 50 odd years ago. Personally I think they should bring it back, would get a load of thugs of the streets and teach pussy kids who grow up expecting everything to be laid on a plate, some discipline, respect and work ethic. :nod:

 

[Springsteen]

Sounds a bit like national service which they did away with here 50 odd years ago. Personally I think they should bring it back, would get a load of thugs of the streets and teach pussy kids who grow up expecting everything to be laid on a plate, some discipline, respect and work ethic. :nod:

:homo: Too many yobs around. Crime rates would go down because of A) Kids not being ther to cause it and B) When they finish they'll have more respect.

 

[Alien Allen]

Obama talked about this on the campaign. Not sure why it should be surprising.

It is part of the way to pay for some of the goodies promised. You get people to do mandatory service without pay and that covers other costs.

It is his version of a civilian draft for a job corps type of program

I do not have a problem with the concept. There are too many that contribute nothing to the country and just use up the services provided. As long as it is reasonable and everybody is required it is a good idea. But I am not gonna hold my breath it will be done right. It will probably end up a bureaucratic boondoggle that wastes money and just creates more jobs for the govt to oversee.

 

[Peter Parka]

Makes me laugh how some people still think he's an extreme Socialist when this is a very Conservative idea.

 

[cam elle toe]

Everybody? or just the unemployed

I think its a great idea....we have "work for the dole" schemes here for the long term unemplooyed and its great

Gets them off their butts, learning new skills and being a contributng member to society

Yes Forced voluntary work is a contradiction, but I guess he just means they wont be paid for it, but will be expected to do it

 

[Alien Allen]

Makes me laugh how some people still think he's an extreme Socialist when this is a very Conservative idea.

One idea does not take away the rest of his agenda which is to expand govt. If he is not a socialist he sure quacks like one.

Everybody? or just the unemployed

I think its a great idea....we have "work for the dole" schemes here for the long term unemplooyed and its great

Gets them off their butts, learning new skills and being a contributng member to society

Yes Forced voluntary work is a contradiction, but I guess he just means they wont be paid for it, but will be expected to do it

I would assume it would be an able body would serve for a given period of time.

 

[Dana]

sounds like bullshit. If im forced to do work, I want to be paid for my hours spent. Thats What they have jailbirds for.

 

[Ryder]

It takes the word voluntary out of the equation. It's just work.

 

[Alien Allen]

It is community service.

Could encompass any number of things.

Not sure but I think one of the things that might be offered is to do this in exchange for compensation towards college much as there was or is when you go in the military

 

[kelvin070]

It can be voluntary work, community service, national service etc. National service is mandatory here for males ( 2years). Sure it instills disciplene and keep the guys out of trouble thus reducing crime rates. Our neighbouring muslim countries accuse us of being "the Israel of Asia"

 

[syzygy011]

I was just wondering if anyone else has heard anything like this, and if so, well... what's your take on it? What do you all think? Could we eventually reach a point where we'll be forced to do mandatory "volunteer" work, or is this just a bunch of hooey?
Discuss.

I have actually heard something like this, although it was from a few country hicks (with the thick accent, over-sized cowboy hats that look like sombreros, and all that) that ride my school-bus and constantly preach about the end of the world with him as the president, so I don't put much stock in that. (In fact, I told them to their faces even, just a bunch of nonsense that two over-imaginative minds thought up because they have nothing better to do.)

And "mandatory volunteer work"... doesn't that contradict itself?

 

[Alien Allen]

I have actually heard something like this, although it was from a few country hicks (with the thick accent, over-sized cowboy hats that look like sombreros, and all that) that ride my school-bus and constantly preach about the end of the world with him as the president, so I don't put much stock in that. (In fact, I told them to their faces even, just a bunch of nonsense that two over-imaginative minds thought up because they have nothing better to do.)

And "mandatory volunteer work"... doesn't that contradict itself?

Let me guess ....... You are an Obama supporter :nod:

In which case you flew by an earlier comment I made that this was in his plans while campaigning.

It took me one quick google search to find this.

• Integrate service into learning:
  
  Obama and Biden will set a goal that all middle and high school students do 50 hours of community service a year, and will establish a new tax credit that is worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year.

here>>>>>> Barack Obama and Joe Biden: The Change We Need | Service