Everyone in the U.S. should be required to serve in the military.

[Old Rocks]

My father was in the CCC's and regarded it as one of the better experiances in his life. For many a city boy from the east coast, the assignment to work in the fir and pine forests of the West Coast was an intoduction to a world they did not realize existed. There were many young men that started learning their various crafts in the CCC's, and many that learned to read there. Overall,it was one of the most successful experiments this nation has ever conducted.

Yeah seriously, I've always wondered why we don't have a civilian service in this country what with the plethora of projects that could be accomplished with it, the benefit to our society and the past success of the CCC. I get there's fear over the budgetary concerns of such an effort but I think the new CCC would probably be able to pay for itself and do it cheaper than if sub-contractors were used for the same project. Plus it would be an exceptional way to jump start American kids into their adult life by giving them occupational training and educational opportunities.

We have whole forests that need cleaned up of debris from bug kill, that are overgrown and in need of thinning. There are protective levees that need to be built for towns and farms.

There have been so many experiments done where they took young men and women that were supposed to be deadenders, put them in a differant environment, gave them a healthy diet, and safe surroundings, then challenged them mentally and physically. Yes, there will always be some failures, but in almost every case the result surpassed expectations.

A new CCC would be a wonderful boon to the present generation for those that would take advantage of it.

 

[GoneBezerk]

Liberals love repeating mistakes of the past.....they still think socialism works.

I believe Einstein was talking about them regarding insanity.

Sure, if we're going to destroy the nation, let's take a page from the Roman Empire and do it up right!

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/11/nobel-prize-winning-economist-war-is-widely-thought-to-be-linked-to-economic-good-times-nonsense.html

I swear, people here don't know a thing about economics, and haven't studied history. If the Romans couldn't do it, if the Ancient Chinese and Aztecs couldn't do it, what makes us think we can? Can we please come back to reality?

 

[BallsBrunswick]

My father was in the CCC's and regarded it as one of the better experiances in his life. For many a city boy from the east coast, the assignment to work in the fir and pine forests of the West Coast was an intoduction to a world they did not realize existed. There were many young men that started learning their various crafts in the CCC's, and many that learned to read there. Overall,it was one of the most successful experiments this nation has ever conducted.

Yeah seriously, I've always wondered why we don't have a civilian service in this country what with the plethora of projects that could be accomplished with it, the benefit to our society and the past success of the CCC. I get there's fear over the budgetary concerns of such an effort but I think the new CCC would probably be able to pay for itself and do it cheaper than if sub-contractors were used for the same project. Plus it would be an exceptional way to jump start American kids into their adult life by giving them occupational training and educational opportunities.

We have whole forests that need cleaned up of debris from bug kill, that are overgrown and in need of thinning. There are protective levees that need to be built for towns and farms.

There have been so many experiments done where they took young men and women that were supposed to be deadenders, put them in a differant environment, gave them a healthy diet, and safe surroundings, then challenged them mentally and physically. Yes, there will always be some failures, but in almost every case the result surpassed expectations.

A new CCC would be a wonderful boon to the present generation for those that would take advantage of it.

Absolutely, I think so many of my generation are stagnating because they don't have many options. It's either incur a decade of debt for a meaningless education, be an indentured servant in the military and contribute to the murder of innocent people or be a dead-ender in the hourly salary rat race. I think if kids could jump into a CCC like organization so many of the social problems we see in our society would sharply decline and patriotism and civil pride would sharply increase.

 

[Old Rocks]

I do believe that the CCC's are nearly universally regarded as a major success. Except by certain ideological idiots. The same kind of idiot that was telling us how Romney was going to sweep the election.

 

[LogikAndReazon]

mandatory peace corps !!! and a new works progress administration . for infrastructure and social justice !!!

 

[Old Rocks]

Yeah seriously, I've always wondered why we don't have a civilian service in this country what with the plethora of projects that could be accomplished with it, the benefit to our society and the past success of the CCC. I get there's fear over the budgetary concerns of such an effort but I think the new CCC would probably be able to pay for itself and do it cheaper than if sub-contractors were used for the same project. Plus it would be an exceptional way to jump start American kids into their adult life by giving them occupational training and educational opportunities.

We have whole forests that need cleaned up of debris from bug kill, that are overgrown and in need of thinning. There are protective levees that need to be built for towns and farms.

There have been so many experiments done where they took young men and women that were supposed to be deadenders, put them in a differant environment, gave them a healthy diet, and safe surroundings, then challenged them mentally and physically. Yes, there will always be some failures, but in almost every case the result surpassed expectations.

A new CCC would be a wonderful boon to the present generation for those that would take advantage of it.

Absolutely, I think so many of my generation are stagnating because they don't have many options. It's either incur a decade of debt for a meaningless education, be an indentured servant in the military and contribute to the murder of innocent people or be a dead-ender in the hourly salary rat race. I think if kids could jump into a CCC like organization so many of the social problems we see in our society would sharply decline and patriotism and civil pride would sharply increase.

I think that you are correct on that. This present generation is really being shortchanged compared to the opportunities I had coming out of high school. My first job I worked at entry level wages, learning a craft, much overtime. And made enough in a year to have purchased a house. Today, there is no way that a young person can do that.

And the present educational system concentrates so much on degrees, that they forget that the crafts are much more neccessary than when I was young. Today, it takes a far higher percentage of the work force in a factory to be craftsman than in the '60's. We have millions of jobs for electricians, millwrights, and automatin people going begging because we haven't trained people in these crafts. Most of the wages of these people are upper middle.

Another thing that came out of the CCC's was the environmental movement. So many of the young men saw the nation as a whole for the first time. Saw the wonders of the forests and plains. Saw what disregarding the forces of nature brings on us, the dustbowl, in that case. And many have returned many times to the places that they built for the public in the National and State parks.

 

[oldfart]

So how many of you liberals and losertarians served in the military.....I'm guessing 0.

Ignore the drive-by troll.

 

[Old Rocks]

mandatory peace corps !!! and a new works progress administration . for infrastructure and social justice !!!

Now who said mandatory for a new CCC program? As for a National Defense and Disaster Training Program of six months duration, many nations already do that. I believe both Switzerland and Sweden have something like this. And you are on call until age 57.

 

[oldfart]

Ahhhh, look at the communist rambling on....and they will chant songs for the black messiah while they wear the same uniform.

I'm guessing you admire the Khmer Rouge.

I think it would be excellent if we brought back the CCC and had mandatory service for all 18-year olds for one or two years in this service or the armed forces. Think of how much better our society would be. All segments of our society working together to improve our communities. The rich with the poor, the city kids with the country kids, all races, all classes. And we could provide them with educational opportunities and a jump start into their adulthood.

What?

This is what happens when people feed the trolls. Ignore the troll! He's just trying to upset you and suck you in.

 

[oldfart]

Guess what moron...this is a FREE country.

Crazy people like you can't force Joe Schmoe to join your community club, wear a uniform, chant Obamination songs, and clean the streets at 5am....it's called personal freedom.

What?

What the fuck is this silly cocksucker rambling about? Can anyone here translate this retard for me?

Classic troll. Stop feeding him.

 

[oldfart]

Sure, if we're going to destroy the nation, let's take a page from the Roman Empire and do it up right!

http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2011/11/nobel-prize-winning-economist-war-is-widely-thought-to-be-linked-to-economic-good-times-nonsense.html

I swear, people here don't know a thing about economics, and haven't studied history. If the Romans couldn't do it, if the Ancient Chinese and Aztecs couldn't do it, what makes us think we can? Can we please come back to reality?

For the record, this blog is more than a little off. Krugman and Stiglitz agree on almost everything in terms of economic policy and the blogger misstated Krugman's position on military spending. Krugman, Stiglitz and the rest of the New Keynesians believe the key to economic recovery is to stimulate demand (which military spending can do) and to improve the public works and infrastructure capital that make private investment feasible (which military spending generally does not do).

 

[Unkotare]

There should be a draft again. And I mean for everyone. No college deferments or others. Females are equal now, right? People say, thank you for serving but they don't have a clue about what they are saying until they have been there. This should be at least two years and I don't mean reserves like "W" did during Nam days.
I guarantee that the U.S. will stop starting all the wars around the world. The pampered kids in this country will be forced to wake up and pay attention to what's going on around the world. It would enlighten and greate voters. Things would change because it would wake up the American public and give them something more important than weekends, boats, bar-b-ques, and tail-gating.
Can you imagine the entire American public getting an education beyond High School?
Anyone running for the Pres. and Commander In Chief should be required to have at least 6 years as an Officer in any branch especially in a combat role before being eligible.

Those are some well-intentioned but very bad ideas.

 

[MisterBeale]

For the record, this blog is more than a little off. Krugman and Stiglitz agree on almost everything in terms of economic policy and the blogger misstated Krugman's position on military spending. Krugman, Stiglitz and the rest of the New Keynesians believe the key to economic recovery is to stimulate demand (which military spending can do) and to improve the public works and infrastructure capital that make private investment feasible (which military spending generally does not do).

Negative on that Sir. It is spot on. Krugman is shilling for TPTB and for the military industrial complex. Military spending DOES NOT stimulate demand if it is purchased via credit. Do you think our military expenditures are paid for? I don't. What about it bub?

Sure, those factory workers might be making a paycheck and then may get to go out in pump that liquidity back into the economy, but I ask you, how is the government paying for the military hardware? How is the government paying for the salaries of the soldiers? Those soldiers might be spending their paychecks, but the government is still borrowing more than the soldiers are spending. Therefor, you are wrong, the tax liability is increasing faster than the productive stimulus has any effect. There is no real capitol improvement in the national infrastructure to promote private investment with military spending. It puts pressure on the economy, and on the market. It is a degenerative and destructive pressure and only good for the war profiteers.

I will tell you who WOULD like this idea and why it suits both conservatives and liberals. General Electric. Why? Because GE is a major propaganda institution. Since everyone here was a baby at there mothers breast, they have been exposed to G.E.'s propaganda. G.E. is the owner of roughly one sixth of the media in this nation. They are also one of the largest military contractors. Is it any real wonder that Republicans and Democrats alike can't imagine an American future with out a military component? That they can't imagine a future with peace instead of war? That they can't imagine setting our people and the world's people free instead of enslaving them?

Hell no, it isn't good for the bottom line. SHOW ME THE MONEY!!!!!!!!

 

[auditor0007]

There should be a draft again. And I mean for everyone. No college deferments or others. Females are equal now, right? People say, thank you for serving but they don't have a clue about what they are saying until they have been there. This should be at least two years and I don't mean reserves like "W" did during Nam days.
I guarantee that the U.S. will stop starting all the wars around the world. The pampered kids in this country will be forced to wake up and pay attention to what's going on around the world. It would enlighten and greate voters. Things would change because it would wake up the American public and give them something more important than weekends, boats, bar-b-ques, and tail-gating.
Can you imagine the entire American public getting an education beyond High School?
Anyone running for the Pres. and Commander In Chief should be required to have at least 6 years as an Officer in any branch especially in a combat role before being eligible.

If everyone was required to serve a two year enlistment, we would have a military of over 7 million. Considering many would stay longer, it would balloon to 15 million. There are currently about 3 million serving on active duty, reserves, national guard, and in civilian posts. So, how much do you suggest we increase military spending by? Hope everyone is ready for some hefty tax increases.

I understand the idea and it has some merit in theory, but in practicality it would be a horrible idea that is completely unworkable.

 

[Big Black Dog]

I think everybody should be required to serve for two years in either the Army, Navy, Air Force or Coast Guard. This two years should be right after graduation from high school and before college or immediately if your high school notifies the government that you quit or no longer attends school.

 

[Trakar]

If everyone was required to serve a two year enlistment, we would have a military of over 7 million. Considering many would stay longer, it would balloon to 15 million. There are currently about 3 million serving on active duty, reserves, national guard, and in civilian posts. So, how much do you suggest we increase military spending by? Hope everyone is ready for some hefty tax increases.

I understand the idea and it has some merit in theory, but in practicality it would be a horrible idea that is completely unworkable.

With a Civil Service component, these additional bodies could also fill base-level police patrol and clerical roles, fire-brigade and inspection roles, and numerous other local civil service roles. Federal Taxes (in some form) might increase while local and state taxes could be reduced as the local and state level governments are reimbursed for hiring federal civil servicemembers at a base/training rates. The recruits are given six months of unified basic training, six months of advanced training, 1-3 years of OJT either in one of the military branches or in civil service apprenticeship in both federal and state civil service roles. This federal funding is paying local salaries and stimulating local economies. I'm not sure you'd even have to make it obligatory. With the added benefit of temporary income tax exemptions, free educational sponsorship, special home loan rates/programs, etc., you'd probably get a lot of volunteers.

Of course we'd need a new image for "basic training."

 

[Seawytch]

When I was serving this great nation of ours I was against conscripted service. Now that I'm retired and having to work in the civilian world with these "kids these days"...I'm a huge fan

 

[Seawytch]

There should be a draft again. And I mean for everyone. No college deferments or others. Females are equal now, right? People say, thank you for serving but they don't have a clue about what they are saying until they have been there. This should be at least two years and I don't mean reserves like "W" did during Nam days.
I guarantee that the U.S. will stop starting all the wars around the world. The pampered kids in this country will be forced to wake up and pay attention to what's going on around the world. It would enlighten and greate voters. Things would change because it would wake up the American public and give them something more important than weekends, boats, bar-b-ques, and tail-gating.
Can you imagine the entire American public getting an education beyond High School?
Anyone running for the Pres. and Commander In Chief should be required to have at least 6 years as an Officer in any branch especially in a combat role before being eligible.

If everyone was required to serve a two year enlistment, we would have a military of over 7 million. Considering many would stay longer, it would balloon to 15 million. There are currently about 3 million serving on active duty, reserves, national guard, and in civilian posts. So, how much do you suggest we increase military spending by? Hope everyone is ready for some hefty tax increases.

I understand the idea and it has some merit in theory, but in practicality it would be a horrible idea that is completely unworkable.

Damn you with your math and numbers!!! Okay...how about they all just have to go through Boot Camp?

 

[Desperado]

You are out of your minds if you think a draft is a good idea.
Amazing the way people that call themselves free are more than willing to force other people into a 2 year commitment in the military. The very commitment could cost them their lives in places like Iraq and Afghanistan. So tell me, if your proposal became law, and your son or your daughter was drafted and sent to the mid east, how would you justify that? Would you help them flee to Canada?

 

[KudoZ]

One of my original points was that if everyone had to join the military, America would stop starting all the wars in the world. This country would be filled with people that would not back any lame-o President that wanted to start one. Our voters would be much more educated and world savy. Our politicians also, hopefully.
I appreciate that the thread was pointed to civil service and that too gets my vote, though our kids wouldn't get quite the education they would if they lived in the other countries where we have military bases.
People have answered that we would just be educating more killers but let's face it, we will always need a military because most of the world hates us. There are always people who see us as devils and want to destroy us no matter how many times we go to the rescue during disasters around the world.
And in answer to the people that have pointed out that our military does just that over and over, you are absolutely right. It's the American spirit and it's one of the things that keep our heads above everyone else's. We are willing to die to help someone else, you see it in the papers every day and you see it going on around the world.
One guy mentioned the 13th Amendment I think it was...that it constitutes servitude having mandantory enlistments. I don't know if it was a requirement during the Revolution but it sure was during the Civil War. WWII? Vietnam yes. So why didn't the Supreme Court throw it out?
I would like to see the numbers as to cost from our accounting friends. How many 18 year olds are there in America should we start this program today and what would it cost to put them through 2 years selective service? Be it military or CCC.
In answer to the guy that asked about my military service...yes. Why else would I push it to get our kids off their asses, teach them discipline, community envolvement and self respect?
Whatcha' think? Still want to chew on this one?