Choice…it’s a beautiful thing. mwahahahahahha….

The concept really isn’t all that radical. It’s fairly common throughout the world (Israel being the most well known). I don’t agree with it, or the reasons behind it (however valid they may be), but trying to frame Obama as a radical for supporting the plan is a bit much.

Dan -

Hilter, Lenin, Pol Pot, Kim Jong, and many others (especially in communistic countries) were all elected freely. Were all interested in volunteer programs that were mandatory. Were all into “educating” the young. I think you get where I’m going here. The minute the government starts to dictate what you will and won’t do (outside of the necesseties like getting a job and raising your children) and how much you must “volunteer” you are one step to the Hitlers, Lennins etc.

A country shouldn’t dictate - A country should lead with “we the people” having a voice. We loose our voice, we loose are freedom.

This is how such a horrible person like Hitler was freely and enthusiastically elected by the people and why the concentration camps stayed open for so long was because no one listened to the warnings.

I am by no means saying that Obama is going to be a “Hitler” - I am saying that there is alot of similarities on how they both got elected and their “plans” for the people.

Has anyone else heard of the new questionaire/application that needs to be completed if you are going to apply for a position in the Obama administration?

I was listening to Sean Hannity today and he listed the requirements. The funny thing is…..Obama wouldn’t even qualify for a position in his own administration based on the quesitonaire.

It is amazing that he wouldn’t even qualify to work in the CIA or FBI due to his associations with America haters, but he will be protected by these two departments.

This world has gone mad.

Mac-

Welcome to America, people vote based on what they think and feel, not necessarily what they know. And based on the spin put on everything, by media, alternative media, peers, friends, family, etc they decide what to think of various things or are just plain ignorant/could care less. The electorate for the most part has been complacent and lazy, they don’t do the research.

And all this is coming from one who has supported Obama for almost this whole two year cycle.

And yes, radical is relative. America is centrist, no matter what anyone tries to say about middle right, middle left, etc. We have no full fledged, viable parties on either side of the spectrum that are truly Right or Left, no fascists, communists, or any of the groups in between.

However, I noticed you mentioned Israel, but seem not to use them as a group to indicate that the idea can work if used correctly, you simply pointed to all the failures/breaches. Quite simply a system COULD work without it being indoctrination (though our own culture and cultural history as well as the media seems to do enough of that here, on each side).

As for wanting a president and not a parent- everyone says that after an election. I’ve been saying it for years as people say that marijuana should remain illegal because it is a danger to society, or that gays should not enjoy any legal benefits for engaging in a monogamous, committed relationship with their love, or that violence in video games causes violence in the streets (though recent studies have begun to dsprove that theory), or that certain books should be censored for immoral behavior, use of language, or whatever other host of reasons, or that cigarettes and/or alcohol should be banned, etc.

Each side is guilty of trying to “parent” from their government positions, it isn’t just Obama.

People have been discussing making military service (or some sort of service to the country) mandatory for years now because of the success countries that use it have.

I will be directly affected by this. I would have to serve in some capacity. Perhaps this would push me to actually have eye surgery and go out for the air force like I thought of doing until I was made aware of the vision requirements. I would be forced to serve, but I can choose where, how, and in a sense what capacity I serve. I would do something I enjoy doing while helping this country in some way. It will push those who were discouraged or felt they were unsure to take that risk and try and serving in the capacity they wanted to, and for those who didnt, well, perhaps they’ll see why serving and helping this country is so important and go above and beyond the requirements. Perhaps it will restore the unity that has been lost since 9/11.

Perhaps it won’t even happen in a mandatory sense (which is my guess). It will fire up the electorate and essentially bring in smears and accusations of drafts and the ilk. I don’t even see it getting by most Dems.

I actually have no problem with mandatory service. About 2 years ago, I was in a Facebook group called “Free Minnesota”, it was about having Minnesota secede from the union and become our own independent country. We would have had mandatory service for 2 years between high school and college to give people a glimpse as to what it’s like to live in situations unlike the one they were raised so that they’d have a more balanced world view once they went into university.

Of course, this group was just a joke, but it was a really interesting thing to think about, and I rather liked the idea (both having MN secede from the US AND having mandatory service for 2 years before college).

MK-

And I would disagree.

The so far we haven’t had parents-

clearly we have.

MK-

In reference to harming selves or others, if thise were so marijuana would in fact be legal, it is far less lethal than cigarettes or alcohol.

Throw in those who are trying to create a government oversite for the video game industry (which very well may pass, simply because they disagree with how the industry rates games). Books are often challenged, and some have been banned from being talked about in some school districts, and the fact burnings still take place (though pointless since the author still benefits) is incredibly disappointing and further example of someone trying to act as a parent to me, or any children I may have, because they morally disagree. Let’s look at the recent law in britain regarding graphic warnings on cigarettes: that is absurd, and there are those already advocating the U.S follow suit. It’s common knowledge how cigarettes are damaging and can cause cancer, they are often referred to as cancer sticks with people I hang out with, even the ones who smoke! Look at the TV and radio industries facing so much regulation because some else screws up during a live performance and the network, not the individual, is held accountable for something they had no idea was going to happen.

As for hand outs, welfare needs reform, but done correctly is a viable and certainly needed program. As for public schools- that is a generalization. Many suburban schools are great, espescially here in MA. The problems are mainly in urban schools, though all schools in general are facing a funding crisis, espescially in higher education. As for loans, those were private organizations, I know many of you jump down its the Democrats fault train, but it quite simply is not. Is there fault with Democrats? Of course, but there is also fault with Republicans, as well as with the companies themselves, huge problems in my opinion.

I find it mildly amusing that the people who advocate “choice” and not being FORCED to do something they don’t want to do would actually SUPPORT a guy who wants to FORCE them to do something. Oh well, I guess as long as it doesn’t have anything to do with carrying that baby THAT YOU MADE..it’s okay to force people to do things. Ughhh.

Dear Mr. Obama,

I work quite enough thank you. I don’t need you telling me I don’t do enough and requiring me to work more because you think I should. Will you be making your kids do this community service Mr. Obama? Will YOU be doing it yourself? No? Well then I respectfully ask you to take your REQUIRED community service and shove it.

Have a nice day.

“As for Marijuana…trust me, the harm may not be obvious, but it is real, long lasting, and serious.”

I am fully aware of the harm that can come of it. I have a friend whohas been going in and out of treatment programs for using marijuana and alcohol to cope with past abuse and escape all the problems she has faced in her life. She’s currently in a hospital where she was supposed to stay for three months, however she’s been improving so she may be released early, we’ll see.

“And smoking one joint is equivlent to smoking 10 cigarettes.”

In terms of tar intake, I thought it was 5, not 10. However, the risks of smoking marijuana and smoking cigarettes are different. (Afterall, they think marijuana may help lung cancer, but fertility can be lowered, etc).

And even the tar can be avoided, even with tobacco. The option, however, is very expensive (often over 300 dollars in order to buy the necessary equipment).

“Yes cigarettes are legal, but that’s because we didn’t know the harmful effects 50 years ago.”

People have been using tobacco since long before that. However, I understand the sentiment. Quite simply though, cigarettes should not (nor do I think they will be) banned. It is a choice made by the person that likely will result in harm to themselves, but they are capable of making their own informed decisions and have a cigarette, just as people do the same with alcohol. There is a chance of addiction with both, but there are plenty who use both who are not addicted.

“It hard, if not, impossible to put the toothpaste back in the tube. Believe me, Roe v Wade has shown us that”

As has prohibition, which ultimately failed and gave organized crime a stronger foothold through bootlegging activities. When alcohol disappeared as a revenue source, they moved to drugs. They’ll always try to move to something else there is a fairly high demand for, that is not readily or legally available.

Quite simply though, the war on drugs is failing. The street price of illicit drugs is falling, and purity is increasing. If the “war” had any chance of success, the opposite would be true as it would become more and more difficult to grow/make, obtain, smuggle, and sell drugs. Quite simply, its gotten easier since this war on drugs started, and we need to go down a new path and save the billions of dollars a year we spend on the war on drugs, its ineffective and a failed policy.