Posted by
Patrick Baldwin on Thursday, March 26, 2009 3:00:00 AM
The House of Representatives (HR 1388) and the Senate (S 277) have passed an alarming bill, opening the door to involuntary servitude for our children, which will now be on its way to the President's desk.
The Give (HR 1388) and Serve (S 277) Acts deal with the re-authorization and amendment of National Service Bill. While supporters, in the Senate these include Ted Kennedy and John McCain, say that this is merely an extension and strengthening of the Americorps program, this is far from all this legislation covers.
Within this bill there is a requirement for the establishment of a commission to determine ways to expand national service programs, including:
"The effect on the Nation, on those who serve, and on the families of those who serve, if all individuals in the United States were expected to perform national service or were required to perform a certain amount of national service."
" Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds."
Yes, you read that right, our government is now moving in the direction of ordering mandatory service for, according to the bill, our children between the ages of 17 and 25. There is also provision in the bill for the possibility of mandatory service for retirement age citizens as well. While the language of the bill does not speak to mandatory military service, there is the open door to include type of domestic defense forces which Obama spoke of in Colorado Springs on July 2, 2008.
"We cannot continue to rely on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded."
There is a scary comparison that could be made here, when you consider pressing our youth into service to act as a massive national police force.
Also, tucked away inside this bill is this little gem:
"Amendment to prohibit organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing."
The last time I checked, we had this thing called the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which provides not only for the abolition of slavery, but also for the outlawing of involuntary servitude.
(Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime where of the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.)
I would submit that if our children are pressed into mandatory service, this would be an illegal and unconstitutional act. I, for one, would not surrender my children to the government to be sent to their proposed training campuses (originally called camps), for indoctrination prior to assignment. I have served my country, and have also served my community in various volunteer organizations, and did so by my choice, not because I was forced by the government. I never want to see my daughters become the victims of their own government's oppression. Government encouraging its citizens to service is laudable, to mandate this service is unacceptable. The hypocrisy of liberals, who have so long railed against the draft for military service, to now push this plan is beyond belief.
A government that nationalizes banks, champions wage and price controls, seeks the power to seize private businesses that it deems a danger to the ecomony, and proposes mandatory government service for our children, is a goverment that walking the path toward tyranny. We must all be watchful, alert and involved. We must utilize our First Amendment right to free speech to defend against these things that could mortally wound our cherished republic.