The 2008 version of "ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country" is a pledge to expand "national service programs like AmeriCorps and Peace Corps." In addition, Obama pledges to "create a new Classroom Corps to help teachers in underserved schools, as well as a new Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps."
AmeriCorps grew out of legislation signed by both George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton. The 2008 fiscal budget was $856 million.
The Peace Corps, a U.S. federal agency, traces its roots to J.F. Kennedy. It currently has 8,000 volunteers; it has averaged about 4,000 volunteers a year since its founding in 1961. The 2008 fiscal budget was $330.8 million.
National service programs have a long history in the U.S. The University of Cincinnati founded the Cooperative Education Movement in 1903. F.D. Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Work Projects Administration provided jobs as the nation struggled to come out of the Great Depression. As part of the "War on Poverty," President Lyndon B. Johnson created VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America), a National Teacher Corps, the Job Corps, and University Year of Action. And in 1969, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program was authorized under Title VI of the Older Americans Act.
In 1993, Clinton signed the National and Community Service Trust Act, creating AmeriCorps and the Corporation for National and Community Service. VISTA and the National Civilian Community Corps became part of AmeriCorps.
See The Presidential Transition Process and the White House Transition Project.
Comments
Wasnt involuntary servitude outlawed by the constitution? If he ties this to the funding for schools Obama will call it a work/hire program but in fact it is involuntary to withhold funding from schools and graduation certificates for students who opt out. How about 100 hrs per yr for college students who already carry more than the full time load and work 2 jobs to pay for classes and help their family. This idea is unconstitutional and should be fought thoroughly! This is akin to a civilian draft!
Hi, ctay:
Remember, all that Obama can do is propose — Congress has to enable action through budget and legislation (unless Obama can redirect existing budgetary funds).
Involuntary servitude isn’t outlawed — otherwise, we would not have had a draft. At least I don’t think there is a constitutional provision that would eliminate the possibility of a draft!