It's Time to Require National Service

That many Americans have "stepped up" during this pandemic is a testimony to the inherent goodness and spirit of citizenship that is still alive in this Republic.  Despite uneven federal action and shaky leadership, people  from all over this nation have worn face coverings, socially distanced, washed their hands and tried to do their individual part to deal with this serious national crisis which has torched the economy and killed 228,677 people .   In the midst of this ,  more people have awakened to the systemic racism that has plagued the USA since before it's founding.  Veterans, grandparents, and middle class whites have joined young people and people of color to study and to take action to become "anti-racist."

These developments reveal to me that there are many many people who do understand the concept of the "common good."

Pundits tell us that we're "in a moment."

Why not use this "moment" to implement a Mandatory National Service and "Draft " young people to two years "National Service' after high school or college.

A national report was issued last spring which documents the advanges of this idea, though it stops short of mandatory service:

https://inspire2serve.gov/reports/final-report

My own belief is that requiring service would offer the most advantage  to our society and to our young people at this time in history.

Service could include military, conservation, health care, housing, education, child care, infrastructure.....

The high tech folks could offer expertise to organize things nationwide.

Politicians on both sides could find a way to agree on something good for the whole nation.

Society would benefit from the work and innovation of young energy to address national needs.

Young people would benefit from learning to work with people of various backgrounds in common purpose.

LETS TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PANDEMIC DOWN TIME TO PLAN AND IMPLEMENT MANDATORY NATIONAL SERVICE!!!