It's been said of the wars in Iraq and Afganistan that we can't give anybody freedom, that they have to want it, they have to earn it. We do the same thing in our own country though, we give freedom and rights and privileges to a person just because they've turned eighteen or twenty one but they don't have to do anything to earn them.
If you've ever read the original Science fiction book Star ship troopers by Robert Heinlein you'll know where I'm going with this. In the book nobody has the right to vote or hold office until they earn it by joining and performing honorable service for a specified time in the military. Anybody of any age or physical condition can join and can't be turned down and they can quit anytime they like, so it is simply a matter of personal choice. Does a person care enough about their community and country to want to earn the right to participate in how it's run.
It seems to me that at this point in our history, as decadent and corrupted as our society has gotten that we should no longer trust our futures to every ignorant pot head voter or opportunistic camera friendly politician. It's time that we insist that only those who've cared enough to earn the right can participate and like the book earn their voting franchise by some sort of community sustaining service at any point in their lives.
I think our future is too important to just give it away to anyone.
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| Star ship troopers and democracy |
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Looking4ever
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Aug 11 @ 12:58PM
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 Well said.
My father (a 30 year military veteran) has yet to vote in a presidential election (or any election that I am aware of). When he starts complaining about the government, my favorite thing to say is, "When did you last vote? Oh? You didn't? Then shut up." To me, if you don't use your privilege to vote then you had just best keep your mouth shut because you gave up the right to complain about it too.
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Pornosaurus
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Aug 11 @ 1:53PM
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I'm glad Thenewguy2957 and Looking4ever are exercising their brains. I'd like to point out that each of us can participate in the political framework of this great nation by performing actions other than voting. Also, I hope "we're" suggesting an alternative form of service beyond military service...
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Looking4ever
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Aug 11 @ 2:14PM
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Oh, gawd, yes! There is so much more we can do for our country than serve in the military! But, serve we must. In some sort of capacity. The country does not owe us, we owe it. If we want change we should expect the change to start with us.
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Wordsofwit
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Aug 11 @ 2:58PM
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The problem with all of this discussion is it hypocrisy at its finest. We have means for young people, actually people of any age, to serve. If you don't choose to serve the country by being in the military, fine.
Then again, a kid with a high school education enlisting in the military can in four years can be making $35K a year with free room and board, total medical, and 30 days paid vacation, plus money for college. Like they are really going to be able to match that in the private sector.
There are things already for people to serve voluntarily like Habitats for Humanity, the Peace Corps, etc. in place to serve. I was in the military, but I never considered the other options of service.
I fit the reality of most people, I bitch about the dedication to the nation, but I never did shit until it was to my advantage to do so.
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Looking4ever
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Aug 11 @ 3:19PM
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I'll admit, along with you WoW, that I too haven't done enough. I have volunteered at my kids elementary school, served on the school PTAs, participated in Neighborhood Watch, volunteered for Easter Seals, belong to a service sorority, etc. But, is that really enough? Nope, I don't think so. However, we all have to start at some point.
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