Barack Obama’s “Call to Serve” speech made public service a major theme of his campaign. In this speech, and in his “Blueprint for Change,” he gave two main reasons for this emphasis on public service. The first is that there are many national problems with which coordinated government volunteers could help. The second is that the character of the country needs a change in favor of selfless service instead of individualism and greed. He thus proposes to make increasing public service–mobilizing America in a new spirit of selflessness– “a cause of my presidency.”

AmeriCorps “volunteers,” for example, are paid, and some receive housing. If they complete a term of service, they also receive work-study funds or tuition stipends. In either case, the message sent by the government is that people should participate in these programs, but not for the kind of selfless reasons Obama wishes to foster. Paid employees, by definition, are not volunteers.

Participants in these programs do not work directly for their communities–they work for federal bureaucracies. This fact reflects the early 20th century Progressives’ idea of serving “the public,” a nebulous term personified by government bureaucrats. In such a world, the only necessary relationship for public service is that between the individual and the state.

HR 1388, a bill entitled “The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, an Act to reauthorize and reform the national service laws” has passed the Senate. The two RINOs from Maine, Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe voted for this bill. Imagine that!

The Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act would dramatically increase funding for AmeriCorps and other volunteer programs, including those for seniors and veterans. It also establishes a goal of expanding from 75,000 government-supported volunteers to 250,000, and would increase education funding and establish a summer service program for students, paying $500 (which would be applied to college costs) to high-school and middle-school student who participate.

The bill sound so “Americana”, so much like the Peace Corp until you dig deeper and read House Amendment 49, which prohibits organizations from attempting to influence legislation; organize or engage in protests, petitions, boycotts, or strikes; and assist, promote, or deter union organizing.”

Does this read like a volunteer program?

SEC. 122. NATIONAL SERVICE PROGRAMS ELIGIBLE FOR PROGRAM ASSISTANCE.

(a) Required National Service Corps- The recipient of a grant under section 121(a) and each Federal agency operating or supporting a national service program under section 121(b) shall, directly or through grants or subgrants to other entities, carry out or support the following national service corps, as full- or part-time corps, including during the summer months, to address unmet educational, health, veteran, or environmental needs.

The legislative scheme is an appeal to unemployed and those in need to volunteer and get paid with benefits. This isn’t a true volunteer program but is set up to have people find housing and income while being brainwashed by government handlers (I smell a burning ACORN)

While Barney Frank has called for huge reductions in military spending, AmeriCorps volunteers earn about $1,000 a month, plus medical benefits, housing assistance and $4,725 in education awards that can be applied to future studies. The legislation would increase that education award to $5,350, the maximum Pell Grant award for the 2009-10 school year, and increase with Pell Grant increases over time.

It would also establish new programs for youth, including the Summer of Service program, in which middle and high school students could earn a $500 education award to be used for college costs. It would expand opportunities for Americans 55 or older to volunteer in both the public and non-profit sectors.

The bill would also create “green” opportunities — including a Clean Energy Corps to focus on environmental conservation. It would also create a Healthy Futures Corps, focusing on health care; a Veteran Services Corps, focusing on services for military veterans; and an Education Corps.

Doesn’t this program to establish foot soldiers on the domestic front sound just swell?

Invigorating NO, Volunteerism NO, Education NO, Creepy, YES! Stop Obama and his Comrades NOW!  Write and let this Communist ilk have it. Indeed!