Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire National Service: would you support it here?

I'm fairly sure the following countries have some sort of Nat'l Service requirement: Austria, Israel, Germany,Denmark, Sweeden, Norway and Switzerland. Would you support it (with the caveat that alternative service would be available for a variety of 'disqualifying' factors)?

I kind of like the idea of citizens having to do their country some sort of service. Wouldn't have to be military (but maybe have a military training component), but it'd be some sort of concrete involvement/service in the betterment of the nation.

Since the majority of folks here hold our freedoms dear--including the right to sit around and take in gov't handouts for generations-- anything mandatory I'm thinking would be railed against, but might it not weed out those here for love, liberty and loyalty; those willing to contribute to the nation, from those here for convenience, profit and their own well being only?

Just curious.

No, I'm all for Darwinism.

Not everyone is cut out for it.

not military service. it would dilute the force with slackers and dumbfuggs. now if they want to draft some kids to clean up the roads i'm all for it.

He always wins, that's for sure!

Right. Thus, the words on 'disqualifications' above. Above and beyond mental/physical disabilities though, surely there are some jobs that even the feeblest of body and mind could do to help the nation in some way, no?

Yes. Up until the early 70's, all qualified males were required to give the country two years of individual service. I doubt it hurt many of us on this forum and I it might help young people today develop a sense of responsibility.

I didn't know that. Thanks. And yes, the sense of responsibility thing seems like it has gone the way of the dodo for so many.

Sending young adults to be serve in .gov agencies for two years should nicely reinforce what the schools have been teaching them. Personally, I'd never let my kids do it.

If you want welfare folks to start working again to get benefits, I'd be all for that.

That'd be a beautiful thing. Sadly, I think we're too far gone to see that happening.

Pie in the sky.

Dems and Publicans would pervert it with carve outs before the ink was dry.

I agree with that.

But give incentive too...

Perhaps we need to have a service prerequisite for voter eligibility.

Isn't the Selective Service law still in effect where 18y/o still have to sign up even though we haven't had a draft since the 70s?

Why should any American feel a responsibility to serve the government any more than is already obligatory?

The government already eats about half of a person's earning capacity in the way of taxes. And they want more than that?

I'm not gay. I'm not a feminist. I'm not an illegal immigrant. I don't collect welfare.

To sum up, I'm not represented by the current ruling structure. Why should I have a sense of responsibility to a government that lights the White House up like a rainbow to celebrate homosexuality and tells me that, as a southerner, I'm to be demonized for displaying a symbol of my heritage?

Nah,...I ain't feelin' it.

No, but I'm for a program in the schools like "ROTC" that would be mandatory that would combine fitness, military style lessons, learning to shoot, camping, American history, ect.

That sounds good,...but some feminist dyke would have 'em marching around the school in red high heeled shoes.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/...ion-to-have-male-cadets-wear-high-heels/

In World War II they drafted millions of misfits and dumbfuggs. Who collectively became the Greatest Generation.

Hell, yes, I'm in favor of universal service. Either military or something equally rigorous. You have no appreciation for what you've been born to if you do not fight for it or suffer for it.

I like the idea, Leighton. But as others have already noted, I don't think it would fly anymore.
Too many perverted self interest amongst the political monkeys that would be in charge of implementing it.

First off, you're way too old. I'm talking about the under 25 demographic.

But I could see young folks doing their bids in places of their choice--local or not. Helping elderly folks, keeping parks clean, neighborhood watches, that sort of community service stuff, if they opted out of national defense type commitment, but all with a basic theme of working for the country as well as for oneself, for whatever period of time.

In HS I had a couple of Israeli friends, as well as a Swede, and they all said that after HS, if they chose to go back to their native countries, they'd have to do two years of national service. They explained that many tried to duck it, as it was not exactly a popular thing, but one way or the other they'd have to do their service, unless DQd. I know the two Israelis went back and did their service. One was female. I saw a picture of her in uniform toting a M16 a few years later that a mutual friend shared with me.

Amen to all of the above.