Formerly known as the G.I.V.E. (Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education) Act, the revised Serve America Act was signed into law on Tuesday.
Senator Edward Kennedy has been given credit for authoring the legislation, though he has been dealing with health issues for more than a year and had to be flown into Washington with extreme care to vote for the emergency stimulus earlier this year.
The Serve America Act is a call to "mandatory volunteerism" for Americans of all ages from high schoolers to baby boomers. It is a call to action to "save our communities." The act calls for feasability studies into "campuses" for volunteers to learn and to provide funding for uniforms.
Obama has spoken of his plan for a civilian militia as far back as last July when he spoke in Colorado Springs and the Serve America Act is the first step to making that militia a reality.
Obama signed the bill at the SEED school of Washington with Senator Kennedy by his side. Said Obama in a press release:
"Because of this legislation, millions of Americans at all stages of their lives will have new opportunities to serve their country. From improving service learning in schools to creating an army of 250,000 Corps members a year dedicated to addressing our nation's toughest problems. From connecting working Americans to a variety of part-time service opportunities to better utilizing the skills and experience of our retirees and baby boomers."
Much of the wording in the original G.I.V.E. Act bill has been softened and the word "require" has been deleted in some cases, especially those involving middle school children receiving training to become volunteers. The final bill does include a provision whereby those opposed to the legislation are prohibited from protesting, lobbying or organizing petitions against it.
The bill is clearly controversial in the United States with the blogasphere erupting in blogs both for and against the legislation. Interestingly, U.S. neighbors to the north also weighed in on the debate.
The Canada Free Press wrote: "‘volunteerism that kept America running since the days of its founding' would be "wiped out with the stroke of a pen."
"It becomes forced labor and like the practice of another era, presses American citizens of all ages and creeds, unknowingly into military service. On paper, H.R. 1388 is the 'Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act'; the more innocuous sounding 'The Give Act,' for short."
Americans traditionally lead the world in true volunteerism and charitable giving. America already has the 250,000 member strong volunteer group Americorps which will receive millions in funding from the recently passed $410 billion omnibus spending bill. Why do we need another volunteer organization?
The signing of this bill will open the back door to allow President Obama to further take away the liberties and freedoms that Americans have fought to maintain for 200+ years. It is exactly this type of legislation that has prompted so many citizens to attend TEA parties and get involved in politics in recent weeks. And it will take decades to undo the damage once we are able elect a new administration, senate and house.
AP Photo Pablo Martinez Minivais
Comments
Hitler's Youth?
The SS?
Oh it was funny then until it grew into the monster to come.
History always repeats itself.
Do you realize what a catastrophe it would have been if McPalin would be at the helm!!??!!??
Tim,
Do you realize what a catastrophe this is NO MATTER WHO is at the helm? You need to grow beyond partisan politics and get your mind to a place that truly understands the Constitution. This usurpation of civil liberties (and make no mistake, it IS usurpation), will go down in history as one of the seminal events in the demise of our Constitutional Republic.
Also, as far as I can tell from the legislation, as written, penalties for non-compliance have yet to be written.
If you think this is such a great deal with Obama at the helm, you should be first in line to sign up.
By the way, how do you feel about the Selective Service Draft?
Newbius
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You wrote: "The final bill does include a provision whereby those opposed to the legislation are prohibited from protesting, lobbying or organizing petitions against it."
I can't find a link to send this request to you privately, so I'll post it here in comments -- would you please direct me to the specific part(s) of the legislation where those prohibitions are contained?
It's not that I doubt you. It's that I am not able to find them.
stay safe.
Newbius III,
To let you know, I voted about 1/2 Republican and 1/2 Democrat in the 2008 election, because I voted on the candidates' stance on the issues facing our country. I still continue to support a couple of people in the Republican party, too.
How did you come out of the booth? Truthfully?So, how does that advice of getting "beyond partisan politics" sound to you now?
Sure, we're in bad shape either way, but seriously, the man has been in office barely 100 days (if even). We gave GW EIGHT YEARS and you're going to give President Obama 100 days and cry because you might have to donate some of your time to a worthwhle cause?
I shiver when I think of what the past 100 days would have been had McPalin taken office. Yikes!!
Now, onto the topic of volunteerism....
I have already signed up for two volunteer projects this summer, but I didn't do so because the President told me to. I did it because Muhammed Ali told me to: "Service to others is the payment you make for your space here on earth." - Mohammed Ali
Uhoh, I quoted a muslim....Are you concerned that my views might be "anti-American?"
I do believe that one of the points of volunteering is to "get beyond partisan politics," and so that and I suggest you find a cause
you believe in and give them a hand.
It might even give you a little perspective on that whole "parthelp drill baby drill (which "btw" is the most ridiculous battle cry I've ever heard)
I always considered myself an independent. I have never voted party line. I was raised catholic (although I do not consider myself catholic) but I definitely am a Christian and proud of it. With this, there are many areas in which I still am very conservative. For example I agree with Bush on the need to torture if this will save lives...and yes marriage already has a definition (but i do not judge). Looking at how the Republican party and conservatists in general have reacted to Obama being President makes me want to puke. I am developing an aversion to the Republican party as all they have done is exaggerate, LIE, cry and complain like spoiled little kids. 100 days and nothing good has come out of this government. The Hitler comparisons says a lot more about the person making them than anything else. I WILL contribute time and ALL the Money I am allowed to in order to make sure that these folks or thought process have a hard time returning to power. I just volunteered at serve.gov.
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