Answer is simple.
Bring back the CCC. Civilian Conservation Corps trained young men in good trades and paid a good wage.
The infrastructure needs rebuilding and young men need to feel like they have value in society.
I’d be down with this being mandatory even (general public service). A lot of people, myself included, have gone through life with very little actual “service” to the community and the nation. We’ve gotten too used to the idea that inserting yourself into the machine of capitalism is serving your nation.
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If you want a good thought experiment, read “Starship Troopers” by Robert Heinlein.
His fictional future was based on the idea that after WW3 disgruntled veterans came home to a society that was falling apart. The vets decided that they’d take over, and hundreds of years later only veterans are allowed to vote.
The length of service is four years [iirc] and is geared to each person’s ability. Most people never do anything but dig holes and fill them up, just to get a taste of earning the franchise. If a blindman in a wheelchair comes in, they will find him some make-work that will push his limits.
Not my personal ideal, but it is an interesting idea.
And the premise of the movie being that they were running out of wars to fight so they setup a false flag attack that set off the bug wars to keep the military in control. I love the idea of a government work corp but not the idea of it being mandatory. Especially for representation/voting.
The movie and the book are two completely different things. Apparently the director didn’t even read the entire book and just took a few scenes.
Hunter Thompson wrote one essay where he praised the draft because it forced all kinds of people to meet each other and work together. In the novel “Zombie Jamboree” a draftee says that the draft is a good idea because draftees aren’t as likely to commit war crimes as lifers.
I don’t know if government service should be mandatory, but I think that the country would be a lot better if more of these trust fund babies knew what it was like to put in a 40 hour week.
That and a 3 trillion dollar stimulus package.
In fact I even know where to make use of some of this money, a project to Make Amtrak Great Again.
Literally the first thought I had after seeing the election results was “the Democratic Party needs to have a come-to-Jesus moment about how they treat men, especially white men”. Good to see I’m not the only one thinking this.
Reproductive rights, the right to healthcare, prison reform, within a system that accommodates if not encourages parents in different situations to work and live with children is the best way to support young fathers and boys.
We just need something to call this besides feminism.
That’s a great point. Any ideas?
