Obama's plan intelligent, not creepy
Barack Obama knows something about serving his community.
After college he opted for a job as a community organizer on the South Side of Chicago. He worked with people whom had lost their jobs in factories and the teachers at failing schools. To say his plan for including children in service is "creepy" is misleading.
Many students are already required to do some volunteer work for government or civics classes. Schools often organize for students to work in soup kitchens or help out at senior centers. Obama's plan expands on this model.
Serving others only truly benefits the one whom serves if something is learned through the action (hence it being called 'service-learning'). Having young kids learn the value of serving others will instill that sense of volunteerism early. It also provides an experience for students to apply what they learn in school. Volunteering in college is just as important, if not more.
There is a perception that young people are lazy and do not care for their community the way previous generations have.
In my experience, this is far from the truth. Almost everyone at USD completes the 15 hours of community service required by the IDEA program, but many students go beyond 15 hours by participating in service-learning trips that require forgoing spring breaks and weekends.
Other students use service they already do because serving is already established in their lives.
The $4000 tax credit in Obama's plan allows college students whom would otherwise have to work to pay for tuition apply their talents to service learning, but it would not be mandatory if someone declined to participate.
Students can learn valuable lessons, while still paying for their education. Students who cannot take the extra work load of 100 hours of service during the year can complete their hours over the summer. Obama wants to encourage community support through service in 10-year-olds, 80-year-olds, and everyone in between.
Brittany Neiles Senior History, English Education
--Correction--
The Volante inaccurately printed an editorial entitled "Show Some Sense on D-Days" that was wrongly attributed to Billie Struefert, director of the Career Development Center. The actual letter to the editor was submitted by an anonymous alumnus. The Volante regrets this error.
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