Public Service and Volunteer in the United States

In America, the percentage of people volunteering in their communities is steadily declining. In 1990, nearly half of America participated in public service projects. Just a few years later, in 1998, a mere thirty-seven percent were involved in those activities. The lack of citizens helping their communities is astounding and calls for change. Public service should be mandated for not only school age children but all citizens because it is their duty and benefits the individual and society as a whole. The rewards of public service are very real. Participants learn and become "hard-working, respectful, disciplined, and prepared“ citizens of the United States. They have the potential to cure societal problems and attain the maximum achievement of our youth. This program has been tested in other countries including Germany, South Korea, and Sweden.

The participants became model assets to their country. The countries received an "influx of able men and women including many of the brightest and best". The need for civilian service is just as great as the needs of the military. To encourage this, programs are being put in place to attract everyday people to participate and make a difference in the lives of others. Some programs ”pay off the college loans of those who are willing to teach... in underprivileged places" or put graduation requirements in place for college as well as high school. Those who participate in community service are more likely to donate their time later in life.

The benefits of helping others is immense and all of America will prosper if public service is universal. Opponents of mandated service have a little factual basis and their arguments are flawed. Richman states that "mandatory volunteerism" is absurd. Mandatory volunteerism is an oxymoron and contributes nothing to his argument. Universal service is a program separate from volunteer service and does nothing to discourage volunteerism. School attendance, and reading and mathematics instruction is mandated without any perceived loss of freedom. Requiring service is no different and should be seen as the duty of each citizen. Other arguments point to service groups in the United States, such as AmeriCorps. Opponents like Doug Bandow believe that it is necessary to remove organizations, like AmeriCorps because participants are not truly volunteers since they are paid and many work for the government.

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Contrary to Bandow's statement, "members of AmeriCorps are all 'volunteers' in the sense that no one forces them to join". Our "volunteer" military does not work for free and they are also employed by the government. The counterargument for mandatory public service is invalid. The United States is in need of citizens who can make our country a better place. Every year around seventy five percent of all American households donate to charity. While this number is quite large, it is not enough to fulfill the needs of a large population and the percentage of people volunteering is declining. Programs like AmeriCorps, Big Brother Big Sister, and Habitat for Humanity together with the armed forces greatly help people in need, and could help more with a larger presence. The United States would benefit significantly from universal service and it should be a cornerstone for years to come.

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