GIVE…until it hurts
“Mandatory volunteerism” is one step closer to becoming a reality in America, thanks to HR 1388.
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy [D-NY] and 37 other co-sponsors introduced this public service bill to the floor of the House of Representatives, where both Republicans and Democrats combined to vote 321-105 in favor. Next it goes to the Senate for a vote, then to President Obama’s desk for his signature or veto.
The title of HR 1388 – “Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education” (GIVE) – creates an acronym that is entirely more charitable than the reality of the bill, says the blog Bungalow Bill’s Conservative Wisdom. Bill claims it will “force your children into involuntary service to the government,” and points out that numerous critics of the bill agree that HR 1388 does indeed require Americans and their children to volunteer for community service. It will costs each and every American a $3 cash advance apiece in 2010 to implement.
Nothing wrong with that in principle, but…
How long and to what extent will service be required? Will people have a choice in where and how they serve, and what period of time they will commit? Bill fears that, based on Mr. Obama’s own history of community organization (he worked with ACORN), people might be assigned to work on projects with objects that are not in concert with what the general public believe to be “public service.”
Straight from the mouth of the recent pork-laden spending bill, HR 1388 is a spending bill. It promises college education credits for teenagers who volunteer. But Bungalow Bill and any other right-thinking person would question what’s in it for the government. “Will this be more indoctrination for this collective philosophy that has suddenly come out of Washington since January 20?” Bill asks.
But HR 1388 doesn’t actually force service
True. But it does require the study of whether mandatory service would be useful. Part of the text of the bill reads as follows:
(6) 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.
A commentary on Bill’s blog has the following (and rather telling response):
Mandatory volunteer? Is that like “Jumbo Shrimp?” “Humane war?” Mandatory Volunteer: Best Oxymoron Ever! Orwell would be so proud!All kidding aside: forced conscription is problematic, Constitutionally speaking (13th Amendment). This is true even with military drafts: they too have been problematic when they’ve been imposed.
President Obama is a Constitutional scholar. Forced conscription is clearly involuntary servitude. The language of HR 1388 must change before it passes. Secular public service – service that includes aiding the “gentiles” – is an admirable goal for all of America. It’s easy to argue that a lack of it on the part of the citizenry is one of the reasons why America has lost its foothold on the world stage.
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I agree with Larry (April/09). If you so lacking in discernment as to vote in this idiot, then you should do the “mandatory” volunteering. Those of us who did not vote for him should not have to pay the price. All I can say is “you better be rapture ready”.
We need to not only rail against this “fundamental change” this administration is engaged in, but act – we must do our homework and be informed and VOTE for those that will represent us (not their own onterests.) Demand term limits on everyone in government (if you can’t get it done in 12 years or less you don’t need to be there). Demand pay cuts for Congress and that ALL laws apply to them, too. no exemptions. Politicians get inside the beltway and forget what the rest of America is all about – it’s time we remind them that they work for us!
This is just another example of their sneaky way of passing bills without letting the public know. Throw the bums out!!!! Exasperated!!!
Everyone
Next election
Vote for all independents. Do not vote for Democrats or Republicans.
Remove the cohesion!
Elaine says, “Everyone is so quick to say “what do I get” or “how much money can I make” they forget that organizations like Kiwanis, Lions, Shriners and the like raise millions of dollars to help the blind, severely ill children and many other causes.
New membership has decreased substantally over the years and as these organizations struggle to survive, these causes will still need money!!! If America doesn’t willfully join the cause, the government will assume more financial obligations”
This is true, many of these organizations have lost mebership, but not because Americans are less charitabel or generous.These organizations have declined as a spate of new charities, local and national, have sprung up around them. With tha advent of information technology the barriers to entry for charitable organizations are far less than in the past, and so for every “kiwanis Club” that has declined there is a “Susan B. Komen Foundation” or “Habitat for Humanity” that has thrived. You must look at the whole picture and not just at specific organizations to get the true measure of Americans and their charitable giving.And by that measure Americans are among the most generous people in the world.
These proposed bills are not about good works, they are about control and concentration of power, which ultimately , and quickly, diminishes freedom.
What to do? Vote against anybody, regardless of party, who favors more money spent by Washington. Support strict term limits for Congress and Senate. Any candidate who refuses the term limit pledge deserves your vote. We will never get our government back until the career politicians are history.
It is absolutely terrifying to watch what’s happening while people stick their heads in the sand, yielding muffled cries of “hope! change!”. America would do well to remember that not all change is good before all hope is lost.
I thought “voulunteering” was supposed to be something you do because you want to. It is amazing how many times Obama has promised something and lied or changed his mind. I see another Hitler emerging. Last time I checked this country is a DEMOCRACY. The Constitution still stands. But, it seems like is is being taken away bit by bit. Hitler’s youth?? Seems like that is the way we are going. I will not tolerate my children being invonuntarily put into servitude. And bringing in people that are from other countries to ride on the backs of those of us who bust our tails to make a living and pay taxes?? I ABSOLUTLEY DO NOT LIKE IT!!!! Obama has spent more money than all of have to give. This has got to stop. Furthermore, I will not stop going to church or praying to God. The government cannot stop or will not stop me from exercising my right to be a Christian. The New World Order is here. Ladies and Gentelmen we are in a lot of trouble and it is our own government that has put us there. We need to stand up as a nation and put a stop to this circus. This is OUR NATION not a nation that can be sold to the highest bidder. We have no business being in the UN and the government has no right to stick their noses into our homes and force our children to “volunteer”. It is amazing that if you are not a Christian, then you have all the rights in the world. Try to pray in public, and you are told to stop. They have taken prayer out of school and now they are trying to take it out of everything else. God bless you all and stay safe.
God is good. God is great.
And yea, though I walk in the valley of death His sword and His staff shall comfort me.
And I love you – but Jesus loves you the best.
Welcome to the New World Order!!!
Larry that is an ingenious idea!!!!!! This should be a mandatory act for all the people who couldnt see past Obama’s lying antics. You will get what you wanted, Change. Well here it is, change from the government and the Obama administration is upon us!
Whether you are an Obama fan, or not, EVERYONE IN THE U. S. needs to know….
Something happened… H.R. 1388 was passed behind our backs. You may want to read about it. It wasn’t mentioned on the news… just went by on the ticker tape at the bottom of the CNN screen.
Obama funds $20M in tax payer dollars to immigrate Hamas Refugees to the USA. This is the news that didn’t make the headlines…
By executive order, President Barack Obama has ordered the expenditure of $20.3 million in “migration assistance” to the Palestinian refugees and “conflict victims” in Gaza.
The “presidential determination”, which allows hundreds of thousands of Palestinians with ties to Hamas to resettle in the United States, was signed on January 27 and appeared in the Federal Register on February 4.
Few on Capitol Hill, or in the media, took note that the order provides a free ticket replete with housing and food allowances to individuals who have displayed their overwhelming support to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the parliamentary election of January 2006.
Let’s review…itemized list of some of Barack Obama’s most recent actions since his inauguration:
His first call to any head of state, as president, was to Mahmoud Abbas, leader of Fatah party in the Palestinian territory.
His first one-on-one television interview with any news organization was with Al Arabia television.
His first executive order was to fund/facilitate abortion(s) not just here within the U. S., but within the world, using U. S. tax payer funds.
He ordered Guantanamo Bay closed and all military trials of detainees halted.
He ordered overseas CIA interrogation centers closed.
He withdrew all charges against the masterminds behind the USS Cole and the “terror attack” on 9/11.
Now we learn that he is allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinian refuges to move to, and live in, the US at American taxpayer expense.
These important, and insightful, issues are being “lost” in the blinding bail-outs and “stimulation” packages.
Doubtful? To verify this for yourself:
http://www.thefederalregister.com/d.p/2009-02-04-E9-2488
PLEASE PASS THIS ON… AMERICA NEEDS TO KNOW
This better not pass!!!!
I hope that everyone who reads this will contact their senators and tell them to vote against HR1388. President B. O. has control of our banks, big business, wall street and now he wants our children. It is truly time for everyone to stand up for their beliefs and the only way that it can be done is at the ballet box. But, our representative need to hear from us. Isn’t his change just great?
This follows in lock step with the continuous destruction of our civil rights and constitutional freedoms of the past 8 years. Forcing anyone to serve will only create more tension at a time when we need unity. Its a gross injustice that fits the Project For A New American Century’s attack on the USA core principles from within.
If parents would guide their children toward the importance of community service, the government wouldn’t have to institute this sort of legislation.
Everyone is so quick to say “what do I get” or “how much money can I make” they forget that organizations like Kiwanis, Lions, Shriners and the like raise millions of dollars to help the blind, severely ill children and many other causes.
New membership has decreased substantally over the years and as these organizations struggle to survive, these causes will still need money!!! If America doesn’t willfully join the cause, the government will assume more financial obligations…guess what, that means higher taxes.
If people would get off thier selfish, lazy high-horses and volunteer; there would be no need for such legislation.
Ladies and Gentleman, May I introduce to you President (anti-christ) Obama.
Hitler’s youth…right?
i do agree it is very dangerous if we sit and do nothing me and my town are preparing. if we have to fight we will but are praying that it can be stoped without blood shed but we are not afraid to fight and we will if need be and i would advise anyone who feels the same way to start orginasing your towns and neibhorhoods so that you are ready dto do what is nessary to protect and defend your selves from this oppersave government rember dont let your selves be cutoff from others
This has got to stop. Start grass roots organizations in your city, neighborhood. Obama is a very dangerous man to our way of living. All of the marionettes in Congress have already surrendered their souls to him. Get active, and put a stop to his Stalinist agenda.
This corrupts all the rights we as Americans fought for. This is government led socialism and slavery of people. The last time this happened it was caused by a man called HITLER. It is time for the majority top take action, do not let the Obama minority do this to our children.
I wouldn’t mind making it mandatory…but only for the people who voted for Obama. You reap what you sow.
Remeber people. the people run the government not the govenment run the people. if there isnt people there isnt a government. get involved and stop this government,…..
This bill HR 1388 is unconstitutional it is slavery. Mandatory volunterring is not volunteering. WTG youy Obamanuts for voting this Marxist clown in. This is very scary!
there will be civil war soon they are going to push us to the edge but the government underestimates the underground im not afraid to die for what i believe marshal law will soon set in and if you think im crazy you are blind
Scared yet? Take a look at the wording from this bill under Sec. 125. ‘Prohibited Activities and Ineligble Organizations’, “(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization.” Then the catch-all phrase, “(10) Such other activities as the Corporation may prohibit.” Freedom?, I don’t think so. Our kids will be asked to check their minds, ideals and freedoms at the door. Does anyone remimber Germany and WWII, or is that someting else our kids are not being taught about anymore?
and the communism slowly sets in.
All great comments. Thanks everyone! I particularly enjoy what Cuqui Gibson has to say. Is this what we want for our children in America?
Been there done that! This mandatory volunteerism was implemented in Cuba in 1959-1960, when I was a child, it was called “Pioneros Rebeldes” tranlated to “Rebel Pioneers” and the hidden agenda of this program was to brake the family circle! The government started a campaign to help the economy and they would round up the children,ship them to the farms to do force labor cutting cane in the fields…and this was supposed to help the economy, because it was: “VOLUNTEER WORK! WE WERE TOLD THAT BY DOING THIS WE WERE HELPING OUR COUNTRY! CALL IT SOCIALISM OR COMUNISM, JUST TO GIVE IT A NAME, BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT THE GOVERNMENT WANTS TO CONTROL THE MINDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN, SEPARATE THEM FROM THE FAMILY CIRCLE, CREATE A NEW GENERATION OF FOLLOWERS AND TO CONVINCE THEM… THEY PRESENT IT AS A PATRIOTIC DEED! AMERICA WAKE UP!!! THIS IS NEW TO YOU, BUT I BEEN THERE AND DONE THAT! IT DOES NOT WORK! 50 YEARS LATER I LIVE IN THE USA AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE I AM HEARING THE SAME SONG AND DANCE! THE NEXT STEP IS TO CHANGE THE CURRENCY AND TO ASK THE PUBLIC TO VOLUNTEER THEIR GOLD JEWELRY TO FORTIFY THE ECONOMY! BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THIS ALREADY HAPPENED IN CUBA IN 1960, I WAS THERE AND I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT IN THE USA.
I’m reminded of “Rolf” in “The Sound of Music” – from home-town boy to “Heil Hitler”! Let’s all “volunteer” to promote “our” way of life – “extreme socialism and communism” – shout it on the streets; voluntarily contribute to its tenets; convince the “unaware public”; let them know the government is their friend, their salvation. That’s exactly what Hitler did!! And the rest is history!
is this still the U.S.
I don’t know but a year ago I got an email stating that the only way the Arab’s was going to over throw the USA was to do it from within. Now I believe that with this bill being voted on.
MR. SLICK OBAMA THINKS ENACTING HR1388 WILL SERVE HIS UNDERHANDED PURPOSE BY FAVORING ACORN AND THE LIKES, FORGETTING THE NEXT PRESIDENT MAY USE THAT VERY BILL AGAINST MINORITIES FOR DECADES TO COME
This is crazy, the government is trying to gain more power and move toward Communism and Socialism, Americans need to watch out and stand up to this.
How about we have some solid constitutional conservatives volunteer to educate our youth on the constitution. Perhaps when they understand what is in it they will end this march towards socialism.
What does America and “we the people” stand for anymore???!!! Freedom……. gone. Right to choose……… gone. Oh wait, those are called amendments. Silly me!
But, when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security.
13th Amendment prohibit slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
Mandatory service? That’s called slavery. Granted, civil volunteering is an admirable thing to do, but mandating volunteer work is no longer volunteering, it’s conscription. And it is, to be blunt, a violation of the Constitution. If the Senate doesn’t shoot this down, the Supreme Court had better, because it is not only illegal, it is borderline treasonous. You can’t FORCE people to VOLUNTEER, because then it isn’t volunteering, by definition, and you can’t proscribe community service if a person hasn’t committed a crime! Not to mention the fact that the Federal government has no right, WHATSOEVER, to tell us what we can and cannot do with our time, provided what we’re doing isn’t illegal. This is unbelievable!
I was reading all of the prior statements by other people and your statement came through the clearest. I couldn’t agree with you more it should not be mandatory volunteering. One must question the punishment if one should refuse.
I’m neither Democrat , Republican or an Independent I’ve scrutinized all three loyal to none . I’m a black man who also questioned president Barrack Obama’s origin . I have listened to Alex Jones InfoWars.com and PrisonPlanet.com internet broadcast he gives a lot of valuable and questionable information to the public eye . Hr 1388 is a good bill only if the word mandatory or something equal to is not used . We all need to be aware of such legislation being approved right under our eyes as Americans . We need to be aware let our congressmen and Senators must know we voted them into office to protect our freedoms not give them away ! It say volunteer though it is not if made mandatory thats forced .
Mandatory, like the draft? What is the punishment? Did the people do something wrong? As far as we can tell graft in government and on wall street is the problem, why do the people have to change? Is the graft ended? Is wall street looking out for the peoples best interests? Maybe the people need to study the constitution on a united platform and see what the truth is and the people can begin to make changes according to the reasons and intentions this nation was founded on,They want to control your chances of education? Uneducated the masses can be controled by the educated.See what they have done so far,What will the future bring? The people should want and have free education and as much as one can learn,It will help all mankind, We are people not sheep, we all have minds that are a gift,This is 2009 not 1809, wake up America, Young people you are America, We are not headed for the days of horse and buggy, down with the money mongers and on with education and higher good and advancement of the American People. George Washington crossed the river on a freezing night to bring about this new nation, let us not on this freezing night stop the fight for our advancement and freedom,Unite and demand free education and repay with a time of free work after you recieve your diploma,God bless America and ALL THE PEOPLE HERE AND TO COME…………………..
Are we finally starting to get it? Are people starting to realize that the warnings about our Presidents Marxist Idiology are coming true before their very eyes? The warnings were there, but were ignored by too many. We get the Government we deserve, when we fail to pay attention. A Government that gives you every thing you need, is the Government that will surely take everything you need away. WAKE UP AMERICA!, and get involved.
I totally agree with Cathy. That’s why i ask where is our Pres’s birth certificate?
This is eerily similar to what Hitler did
War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength!!!
Feels like our President studied our Constitution to determine how to best go around, ignore, or stretch its limits and still get ‘his way’ not of, by, or for the people!!!
C. West
this is just another grab by the liberals to take over this country from with in. like durbins back door bill to control christian stations and fox news who speak out against this kind of control. if everyone who objects to this kind of treatment stands up they will back down. if they don’t we need to make them back down