Too many young people are denied the opportunity to participate in national service programs.

[elleng]

Let’s fix that: http://omly.us/om-nationalservice

National service should be part of what it means to be an American citizen. Our country faces great challenges—from economic inequality to education to climate change—and we need the talents and efforts of every citizen to overcome them and make our nation stronger. That’s why Governor O’Malley believes that every young American should have the opportunity to serve his or her country through national service.

National service should be expanded to help address our nation’s biggest challenges. The benefits are immense and go beyond the value of the service itself. National service is a critical strategy for addressing youth unemployment, which Governor O’Malley has committed to cut in half with good jobs within three years. It creates pathways for young people to meaningful careers, and often leads to lifetimes of public service. For many, national service is a springboard to college, and can provide college course credit or financial support. And, by bringing people together—including people from all ethnic, income, and geographic backgrounds—national service will become a shared experience among all Americans, helping to build community and heal our democracy.

GOAL: PROVIDE UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO NATIONAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
Reinvest In Domestic National Service

[Buzz Clik]

1. Interesting.

Some of these programs are highly competitive, which is a strange curiosity.

[Downwinder]

2. They should offer the same credit as the military.

[MH1]

3. **** YES !!!! ****

I would really like to see universal national service period. But realistically it can't be compulsory. So O'Malley's approach is very, very good in that it expands opportunities and increases incentives for participation.

It would have less than a snowball's chance in hell in a Republican congress, unfortunately. But still, seeing such a plan reminds me why I like this guy so much.