For the entire duration of my 12th graders conscious lives and my entire adult life, our nation has been a nation at war. (Today's High School Freshman have seen our nation at war in Iraq for the entirety of their lives.)
After the 9/11 attacks on our nation, we mobilized, gave the President great authority to intervene, went into and out of the war in Iraq, established the global "War on Terror," restricted our freedoms through the Patriot Act, established drone warfare as the norm, and become increasingly de-stable through out global interventions. The United States' complicated role in the Middle East and beyond has never really been addressed as a national discourse about to pause and ask, "Why don't they like us?" This question may not change who we are or how we act, but that question is imperative in considering how do we stop further complications. After all, Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden are dead, but Syria is a mess, al Qaeda has fallen and ISIS has risen.
The world, and the United States' military role in it is becoming increasingly complicated. The 2016 Presidential election was full of candidates who would perpetuate these conflicts with strategies similar to those we have already tried. "Carpet-bombing ISIS," arming rebels, drone war, "boots on the ground," and other suggestions look like more of the same. President Trump and Hillary Clinton were not that different on military intervention policy. I recently heard an interview on NPR's "This American Life" from two Army Reservist friends who were debating which candidate was most likely to send them to war. They could not agree! (Clinton, for all of the attacks about her liberalism, ran a hawkish philosophy as Sec. of State.) It is likely that the three candidates (going back to the primaries) who would have done something truly different for the nation would have been Bernie Sanders, Gary Johnson, or Rand Paul. All of them represent an anti-involvement philosophy backed by their beliefs of focusing on domestic issues alone.
John F. Kennedy told us, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." (inaugural address in 1961) His words were a reminder of the days gone by in our nation's history, and have echoed beyond his short term. During every moment of conflict in our nation prior to the modern era, sacrifice has been demanded from our citizens. In the early days of our nation's story, average citizens took up arms to fight tyranny from Great Britain, and against each other to defend ideals in the Civil War. In the 20th century, citizens were recruited through Selective Service to fight in four wars. Citizens were called upon to plant "Victory Gardens," ration items, sacrifice creature comforts, and produce
Khizr Khan blistered Donald J. Trump in a speech at the DNC this summer. He spoke about sacrifice as his son was killed in action for the United States. It was a statement that resonated with the world.
Trump was asked in response, to discuss times he has had to sacrifice for others. He said,
Do you remember when it used to be a pre-requisite to have served the nation to be a political leader here? Do you remember when we used to care about our neighbors and the greater good?
Trump was asked in response, to discuss times he has had to sacrifice for others. He said,
"I think I have made a lot of sacrifices. I work very hard. I've created thousands and thousands of jobs, tens of thousands of jobs, built great structures. I've done, I've had tremendous success. I think I've done a lot."
Do you remember when it used to be a pre-requisite to have served the nation to be a political leader here? Do you remember when we used to care about our neighbors and the greater good?
It is apparent that the echoes of a call to service and sacrifice have quieted.
Where is the daily sacrifice to fight the war on terror? Where is the focus of school children to look to each other as brothers and sisters working together to advance society? Where is the love for country going to come from?
It's time we begin a New Selective Service.
A radical new proposal is needed.
All men and women enter Selective Service upon the completion of high school. Young people must serve for two years in active work toward the betterment of our nation. This can be done part time while they work other jobs, or full time, and it may include employment, but it should be temporary. Perhaps they join the military, or the reserves in the traditional sense. Other options would be to work in public works such as paving crews on highways, working in the National Park Service, libraries, or tutoring programs. It could include 10-month work like Teach For America Programs, or short term employment like Historical Landmark tours. After their "tour of duty," they could proceed with life decisions, college, etc.
We need to understand each other more. We need to break the bubbles and connect the "bubbles and the bubbas" as Mike Huckabee described us. We need to see that there is something greater than ourselves and the pursuit of money and career.
We've tried forcing nationalism on our children through pledges of allegiance, and curriculum in school. However, why don't we encourage it by learning about the awesome diversity of our nation by working together to better it? We could see a new generation rise up being willing to give a hand to each other, happy to serve our nation.
After serving through sacrifice, a new generation of Americans will come together in unity and bridge our disunity.
#Redvolution2020
