Congresswoman Corrine Brown is among the lawmakers pushing mandatory service for young people
Mandatory National Service?
6/2/2004
By Heather Sorentrue/WCJB TV 20 News
Every person between 18 and 26 could have to perform two years of mandatory national service if a group of lawmakers get their way. Local Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown is among the lawmakers pushing mandatory service for young people.
There are twin versions of the bill in the U.S. Senate and Congress, which would require anyone living in the U.S. man or woman, between ages 18 and 26 to serve America in some facet.
Though, the pending legislation is not likely to become law, it is causing a great deal of discussion.
Political analyst Richard Buckner asks, "Is this an effort to really get public service. Then, why is it in an election year?"
Buckner has his doubts about the bill, which provides no exemption to college students. But, Congresswoman Corrine Brown says not everyone gets to go to college. Brown also says the military is largely made up of minorities and poor rural whites.
"I think it's important that one understands the importance of freedom, and it's not just left with a small group. I think we need to spread it out and when I say service to country I am not just speaking about the military," says Brown.
Brown says another option for national service could be the Peace Corps.
"It's an effort to say look, isn't there a clear divide here between some people who don't go serve and some do, bringing up the old idea of Vietnam. Was it just poor young boys going away to war? And, I think it's an effort to be divisive," says Buckner.
Buckner says the lawmakers supporting the bill are politicizing the war during an election year.
"More than anti-war, it's more of, wake up. Get involved. This is your country," says Brown.
The bill also calls for including women in the military draft.
"I think it just takes away people's choice of freedom. I think that's what being here is all about. I don't think the draft is a good idea, especially for women, either."
Republican Congressman Cliff Stearns says he is against the bill and insists it is going nowhere because there are only 14 co-sponsors out of a possible 435.
