EP 669 Should We Require Young People to Step Forward for America?

  It’s fitting that we post this podcast on the 4th of July, as we ask what we can do for our country at a time when it is facing numerous challenges within and without.  Ted Hollander has been leading a one man crusade through his Step Forward America! effort for a National Service program which has both a mandatory and voluntary component to it.  We have all heard about the fine work of the Peace Corps, Americares, Teach for America and other service programs, as well as the New Deal Civilian Conservation Corps back in the day. Mr. Hollander, author of the book, “Bachelors of Citizenship: A Common Corps for a Citizen Corps.” has developed a three legged stool, as he calls it, of an education focusing on civics, media literacy and others lessons designed to foster good citizenship, three months of national service basic training, and a voluntary one or two years of civilian or military national service.  There are new proponents of this type of work joining the effort as Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland is proposing his own version of a service opportunity for young people in his state.  It’s a re-emerging trend in America…and one that is sorely needed.

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