New service branch: Reconstruction Corps - thoughts on this idea, please.

[Snow]

With the controversy swirling around what to do about the mess Iraq is in, the possibility of the draft, the mercenaries, the poor kids joining the military so they can get those military scholarships, an idea is fermenting in my mind that we need another branch of service.

The National Guard, when they're not being shipped off to build democracy, is pretty good at helping out with natural disasters in the US. I remember, for instance, when an early season wet snow storm, with thunder and lightnening, made a mess of Omaha in October of 1997, the national guard came in & really helped us all get streets and even driveways cleared, get heat back in our houses, and generally start recovery. And my uncle, as well, served during WWII as a sailor in the pacific, but he was a seabee - he helped build stuff (he was an architectural engineer). As many of you know, I was in the Peace Corps, a perpetually underfunded volunteer outfit that nevertheless does very valuable work. A lot of that includes changing stereotypical thinking about Americans. I managed to persuade my future uncle-in-law that the American who intended to marry his favorite niece was a decent sort - especially after hoisting a few with him.

I propose a new branch of service that would specialize in relief work - reconstruction of infrastructure after disasters, medical care, epidemic control, the obvious flood, fire, earthquake help, even reconstruction after wars - something that there are very few groups doing, and those mostly church-related - the American Friends' Service Committee comes to mind. Fund this service branch well. Offer all the same enticements that the other branches offer. Give them all the shiny gadgets that the other branches get - just not weaponry. Make it the most prestigious branch of service there is, and the best way to do that is probably to give them the most money. Then send these soldiers in where there are messes. No weapons, no back-up guys, & if things are too dangerous, then these guys have to hold off until it's safe to go in. My daughter is an EMT, sometimes rides ambulances - they are not allowed into a situation where they are put in danger, ie, gang members in the midst of hostilities. It tends to calm things down very quickly when the rescue squad can't come in.

There's the bones. What do you all think? Is this worth passing along to Kerry? Has it been tried already, & if so what was worng that it didn't work?

[asjr]

1. Great idea. It harks back in a way to FDR's

CCC program which employed people in the Great Depression. In my opinion it saved the country. Of course it was a government program so the Repubs would not like it.

[cornfedyank]

2. i like two years for everyone

three branches:

1. armed forces for them that like it.

2. peace corps to promote peaceful cooperation around the planet.

3. reconstruction corps to promote peaceful cooperation within this country.

the idea promotes edification and understanding.

it has to be funded, but i think it would be a productive, long term step forward.

wage peace ---- it's cheaper in the long run

[Snow]

3. Thanks.....

interesting thought splitting the new branch into a domestic & international branch - although I think I'd prefer to leave Peace Corps as is, a volunteer organization that tends to prefer college grads. I'd see the reconstruction corps as offering a way for your average high school grad to get out, see some of the world, learn or hone useful skills and get a bit of money together to keep their life progressing. The domestic version of this would sound a lot like the Civilian Conservation Corps, although I don't think they offered the benefits that the military does - maybe they did back then.

More thoughts, readers - has anyone else thought of this? Dennis Kucinich, maybe, you DK supporters? See any big pitfalls? & if it looks do-able, where shall I send it so it can get a hearing?

[belle]

4. Sounds like a good idea.

[teryang]

5. I think it should be outsourced

I don't think anyone should be able to draft my children for anything. It's involuntary servitude.

[slaveplanet]

6. No f'n thanks

Your proposal is right out of the elite/globalist/ NWO playbook...

So you want to start a new slave corp.

how much will it pay?
This has already been proposed in several of the 12 new draft legislation proposals under domestic service provisions(proposed offshoots of americorps/securcorps)...some will include conscription registration ages to 45 years old...yes folks this includes your daughters.
They'll make good little slaves for some good ole boy police state captain (or some freepers' son getting a cush placement to stay out of the action) ...you know fetching coffee, emptying garbage cans, monitoring spy cams and who knows what other special favors?

Meanwhile your sons will be kept real busy digging ditches and clearing brush under a new Nazi youth program.
Regular Army is to be kept far abroad tied down in endless wars.

Hitler would love this idea...

I realize your intentions may be of good intentions...but you know how the rest goes...FDR is dead

for me... No thanks

[Snow]

7. Hmmm. Within the pejorative cliches, you have a coupla good points.

It has to be well-funded, the pay has to be equal to the armed services, and there can be no evasion by the privileged. Also, I think it needs to be an international body. I think that could address most of your concerns; do you agree?