The Candidates and Service

Those are tough question that Americans needs to ask themselves. Certainly we won't agree but any dialogue on the issue is sure to be beneficial.

To address just one of the aforementioned questions:

I personally do not think we should mandate a year of service. To me something is lost if someone only volunteers because they are forced to do it. While it may be entertain to see a celebrity serving food to the needy as part of court ordered community service, it is more meaningful to see a celebrity volunteering for altruistic reasons or any individual for that matter.

But that is just how I see it.

A primary reason (in my opinion) that JFK was so successful in getting service on the national radar was not the result of a particular new federal statute, funding effort or general governmental support, it was because he inspired a generation to act through his words and his actions (both past and present). Consequently federal and local programs fell into place because the public was ready to accept them. I think that both '08 candidates are uniquely qualified - albeit for very different reasons - to put partisan issues aside and inspire us all to consider service as a fundamental part bing an American. The support of the Government (in whatever form that might take) needs to follow closely on the heels of such a personal plea from the executive branch and NOT precede it as it will fall on deaf ears. I also think this needs to be one of the very first things a president should tackle in 2009 as it can set a positive tone for the office and the country before other 'issues' inevitably get in the way.

CAPS = suggestions: McCain's military service gives him a natural platform for advocating for service. Obama is a trained lawyer AND SPENT YEARS SERVING LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN CHICAGO, SO LIKEWISE BOTH MEN WOULD appreciate the importance of pro bono service and the role of a President in the rise of the pro bono ethic in the 1960s under JFK.

Service tends to receive bi-partisan support, but there tend to be a few areas where lines can be drawn within the issue.

My comments to questions posed:
- Should we mandate a year of service for all Americans?

No, I don't think it should be mandated but I think people should enroll in volunteer community service and get the same benefits as military service personnel do.

- Should the government be involved in funding the capacity of nonprofits and religious groups to recruit and manage volunteers?

Yes definitely because it is a public good. Companies contribute but can have special interests, whereas gov't should be free of special interests and have a general fund for all qualified NPOs

- Should the government fund and run programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps?

Absolutely, they are the backbone of the “American Dream”.

Restating the question slightly: Is volunteering a "right" AND/OR RESPONSIBILITY of every American that the government must support to maintain our democracy and TO UPHOLD OUR CONSTITUTION?

I would say it is a responsibility, not a right. As a citizen's responsibility though, the gov't has the same role to play in facilitating citizen action to benefit the largest public good.

How would you respond to these questions? How do you expect the candidates to respond?

The candidates will agree with me I think except for McCain on the benefits for NPO volunteers matching military benefits but as an independent he should support this, especially as a Republican since his mantra is gov't shouldn't be responsible for social services but other (private) institutions carry the burden. Well, the Dems disagree on this, but both agree that the “American Way” is helping citizens do what they do best: help each other, share ideas and skills, be entrepreneurial. Both candidates can and should agree on this. The questions is how much does it cost and to what extent do the candidates expect the third sector to pickup the slack for inefficient social service delivery? There needs to be a clear position from both candidates on what needs to be fixed in current public spending on social services, first, before we dive into thinking how market-based incentives for building up volunteer-based programs to solve the many social problems are to be translated into new public policies.

One last questions we may want to ask:

- ARE THERE SOME AREAS WHERE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD EMPHASIZE VOLUNTEERING MORE THAN OTHERS?