[whalerider]

Originally Posted by ChooseYourLifeNow

Obama's chief of staff choice favors compulsory universal service
197 comments
November 6, 10:03 AM
by J.D. Tuccille, Civil Liberties Examiner


Rahm Emanuel
Rep. Rahm Emanuel wants to force people 18 to 25
to labor for the government.
Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, President-Elect Barack Obama's choice for chief of staff in his incoming administration, is co-author of a book, The Plan: Big Ideas for America, that calls for, among other things, compulsory service for all Americans ages 18 to 25. The following excerpt is from pages 61-62 of the 2006 book:

" It's time for a real Patriot Act that brings out the patriot in all of us. We propose universal civilian service for every young American. Under this plan, All Americans between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five will be asked to serve their country by going through three months of basic training, civil defense preparation and community service. ...

Here's how it would work. Young people will know that between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five, the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service. They'll be asked to report for three months of basic civil defense training in their state or community, where they will learn what to do in the event of biochemical, nuclear or conventional attack; how to assist others in an evacuation; how to respond when a levee breaks or we're hit by a natural disaster. These young people will be available to address their communities' most pressing needs."

Emanuel and co-author Bruce Reed insist "this is not a draft," but go on to write of young men and women, "the nation will enlist them for three months of civilian service." They also warn, "[s]ome Republicans will squeal about individual freedom," ruling out any likelihood that they would let people opt out of universal citizen service.

As chief of staff, Emanuel will not be in a position to directly introduce public policy, but his enthusiasm for compulsory service, combined with Barack Obama's own plan to require high school students to perform 50 hours of government-approved service, suggest an unfortunate direction for the new administration.

http://www.examiner.com/x-536-Civil-...versal-service

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Obama is going to change everything alright.......and not for the better.

I respectively disagree with you. Isn't it the me, me, me times that have ruled our country since the '80's that most of us are hoping to change to 'us, us, us? I am old enough to remember when the United States had a Civil Defense system. I remember hearing the siren and getting under my little school desk to protect myself from the scary Russians! I am tired of fear and negativity being 'gleened' out of every new idea.

As to Civil Defense, there was a time when everyday Americans stepped up to learn how to direct and perform under times of national distress. The young people on this planet today are, for the most part, truly extraordinary and I would gladly follow their 'tutored' lead. This is not Germany in the l930's and 40's. We are creating our futures at a very fast pace and young vibrant leaders are welcome in place of the stodgy current regime. I would bet that our young people would be excited to be invited into the possibilities of making real differences and helping in any way they can.