Should we mandate military service for all youths between the age of 16-18?

[Morrovvind]

Instead of a mandatory military service where it takes a lot of money to train and outfit soldiers into efficient killing machines, why not instead invest that money into giving every citizen a free higher education with the stipulation that each student receiving education for free has a mandatory community service (helping people/the environment) either at home or abroad?

 

That would give everyone a chance at continuing education, it would improve our communities, our foreign relations, the value of each individual citizen overall, and the future of our planet. It's really a no-brainer.

[Vagrant0]

why not instead invest that money into giving every citizen a free higher education

 

I hate to be the one to break this to you but the government, as well as many groups that pull the strings of the government, doesn't really want a well educated population. Uneducated people are easier to control, more likely to settle for those cheap labor intensive jobs, and essentially owe their lives to creditor companies. The US may pride itself on its first world living status, but most of its economy and workforce more closely resembles that of a developing nation.

[Lakan]

 

why not instead invest that money into giving every citizen a free higher education

 

I hate to be the one to break this to you but the government, as well as many groups that pull the strings of the government, doesn't really want a well educated population. Uneducated people are easier to control, more likely to settle for those cheap labor intensive jobs, and essentially owe their lives to creditor companies. The US may pride itself on its first world living status, but most of its economy and workforce more closely resembles that of a developing nation.

 

That is true, the states really do not enjoy people who have the ability to detest false dichotomies.

 

I would know, I live here. Yellow journalism is the new subject beginner in our language these days.

[Aurielius]

It should be pointed out that the 4th estate has always been OTT since the inception of our Republic. What is currently lacking is a sense of ' civitas' or in the words of JFK "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". We have gone from the greatest generation that was willing to sacrifice all for the greater good to one that just wants what they want. Thank god we still have a precious few that are willing to step up and defend the Republic.

[HeyYou]

It should be pointed out that the 4th estate has always been OTT since the inception of our Republic. What is currently lacking is a sense of ' civitas' or in the words of JFK "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". We have gone from the greatest generation that was willing to sacrifice all for the greater good to one that just wants what they want. Thank god we still have a precious few that are willing to step up and defend the Republic.

Now we just need them to defend the republic from its leaders..... I think THEY are a bigger threat to this nation than damn near anything else.

[Beriallord]

It should be pointed out that the 4th estate has always been OTT since the inception of our Republic. What is currently lacking is a sense of ' civitas' or in the words of JFK "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". We have gone from the greatest generation that was willing to sacrifice all for the greater good to one that just wants what they want. Thank god we still have a precious few that are willing to step up and defend the Republic.

 

If "country" refers to the well being of the Nation as a whole and its people, then I agree. But if that is blind loyalty to the establishment, then I disagree.

 

I don't believe the US is a force for good in this world anymore. I also believe the best the US is ever going to be is in the past. I'm not optimistic about the future of this country at all. I think we're destined for 2nd world status, eventually.

 

I didn't realize how royally screwed the US economy is compared to other 1st world countries until I found out how much more working and middle class jobs pay in other countries. That is pretty sad if I can go north of the border to Canada and get paid 50-100% more for the same work. Everywhere from Canada, to Australia, and most of Europe generally pay their lower and middle class workers better wages. And I'm considering relocating for better pay.

 

At one time in the USA, someone used to be able to work somewhere like a steel mill and make enough money to have a stay at home wife and raise 4-5 kids. Those days are long gone, and they're not coming back. In comparison from then to now, the US has fallen to economic junk status. The rich have gotten richer when everyone else is fighting for the scraps at the bottom of the barrel. If "competition" means letting the plebs fight viciously over the scraps, then that is exactly what the US economy is.

Edited January 29, 2015 by Beriallord

[JimboUK]

 

It should be pointed out that the 4th estate has always been OTT since the inception of our Republic. What is currently lacking is a sense of ' civitas' or in the words of JFK "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". We have gone from the greatest generation that was willing to sacrifice all for the greater good to one that just wants what they want. Thank god we still have a precious few that are willing to step up and defend the Republic.

 

If "country" refers to the well being of the Nation as a whole and its people, then I agree. But if that is blind loyalty to the establishment, then I disagree.

 

I don't believe the US is a force for good in this world anymore. I also believe the best the US is ever going to be is in the past. I'm not optimistic about the future of this country at all. I think we're destined for 2nd world status, eventually.

 

I didn't realize how royally screwed the US economy is compared to other 1st world countries until I found out how much more working and middle class jobs pay in other countries. That is pretty sad if I can go north of the border to Canada and get paid 50-100% more for the same work. Everywhere from Canada, to Australia, and most of Europe generally pay their lower and middle class workers better wages. And I'm considering relocating for better pay.

 

At one time in the USA, someone used to be able to work somewhere like a steel mill and make enough money to have a stay at home wife and raise 4-5 kids. Those days are long gone, and they're not coming back. In comparison from then to now, the US has fallen to economic junk status. The rich have gotten richer when everyone else is fighting for the scraps at the bottom of the barrel. If "competition" means letting the plebs fight viciously over the scraps, then that is exactly what the US economy

 

 

In Europe the cost of living is substantially higher, I can assure you we're no better off. And don't get me started on the level of tax, we spend most of our time working for the state so it can invest in yet another herd of white elephants.