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The real gist to this issue is do we as Americans owe this country more than just lip service for the freedoms that so many Americans take for granted. Day-to-day activities (work and the pursuit of happiness), does have a price ... it was paid by the blood of those who shed that blood to make this country the great country it has become ... it continues to be shed by those that answered the call of our nation to serve in an all volunteer military.

As we travel into this new century, the question will be continue to be asked ... should we make public service to our country mandatory for our citizens? Should we put our actions where our mouth are?

As the haves and the have-nots move further and further apart, more and more people are going to be classed in the lowest strata of our poorest citizens and this WILL definitely create major problems that WILL NOT have easy answers. One of the best plans/program that have been put forward to answer this disconnect seems to be the Public Service Act ... it would require every man and woman to serve a mandatory 2 years of public service by the age of 25 years of age. It would also carry a penalty for not fulfilling this obligation.

This controversial plan will continue to raise the political temperature of those who debate this plan ... not everyone believes it would be a good plan for this country.

No matter which side of the argument you fall into, this is NOT an argument which will go away.

Originally Posted by Chief Bones

it was paid by the blood of those who shed that blood to make this country the great country it has become ... it continues to be shed by those that answered the call of our nation to serve in an all volunteer military.

Its a pretty picture you are painting. I like patriots no mather where their from, but do you really belive this is the most important reason for your way of life.... Has the american way of life ever been really threatend (since the revolution/indepence war in 177something)??

And what about FREEDOM, isnt that the most important thing about American culture. Well, America (USA) is the country I have visited (as tourist) where I felt, I was regulated the most. In other words, you guys have MUCH less freedom than the people of for example europe. And you are making my point when you are saying "It would also carry a penalty for not fulfilling this obligation." ....is that your idea of freedom and pursuit of happiness??

Originally Posted by Ace

Has the american way of life ever been really threatend (since the revolution/indepence war in 177something)??

The War of 1812, Civil War, WWII and the Cold War all threatened the American way of life in addition of the Revolutionary War.

Originally Posted by Ace

Its a pretty picture you are painting. I like patriots no mather where their from, but do you really belive this is the most important reason for your way of life.... Has the american way of life ever been really threatend (since the revolution/indepence war in 177something)??

And what about FREEDOM, isnt that the most important thing about American culture. Well, America (USA) is the country I have visited (as tourist) where I felt, I was regulated the most. In other words, you guys have MUCH less freedom than the people of for example europe. And you are making my point when you are saying "It would also carry a penalty for not fulfilling this obligation." ....is that your idea of freedom and pursuit of happiness??

Number one, it's not a pretty picture but is one that has to be painted nevertheless.

I don't know exactly which America you visited but you are either guilty of prevarication or you were in the wrong country.

Originally Posted by The Cooler King

The War of 1812, Civil War, WWII and the Cold War all threatened the American way of life in addition of the Revolutionary War.

1812: Agreed

Civil War: The american life wasnt really threatend although USA as we know it geographicly could have been different.. Disagree?

WWII: Do you think Japan (which was the only threat to USA did have ambisions of entering California?) Then kamikaze would have an new deffinition..

Cold War: The soviet union was your main enemy. Have USSR ever attacked any western countries? NO! As a fact USSR freed Norway from the Nazis, and went home. If Im not mistaken USA is still in Germany....

My arguments here is half-serious, my point was only that we are talking of the overall american-life/culture. We were occupied in `41-`45 but we didnt loose our culture/way of life... Its a hard nut to crack..

Originally Posted by Ace

Civil War: The american life wasnt really threatend although USA as we know it geographicly could have been different.. Disagree?

Slavery was abolished as a result of the Civil War. A fellow by the name of Thomas Jefferson had something to say on this. You might have heard of him. "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness."

Originally Posted by Ace

WWII: Do you think Japan (which was the only threat to USA did have ambisions of entering California?) Then kamikaze would have an new deffinition..

Japan was our only threat? There was a guy in Germany named Hitler (or something like that) that had ambitions to take over the entire world--and he came pretty dang close too.

Originally Posted by Ace

Cold War: The soviet union was your main enemy. Have USSR ever attacked any western countries? NO! As a fact USSR freed Norway from the Nazis, and went home. If Im not mistaken USA is still in Germany....

Two words: nuclear holocaust. If there's no America, there's no American way.

Originally Posted by The Cooler King

Japan was our only threat? There was a guy in Germany named Hitler (or something like that) that had ambitions to take over the entire world--and he came pretty dang close too.

In europe its actually Russia who are given credit for defeating Hitler, but of course allied forces did an great effort too. But thats another thread...

Originally Posted by The cooler King

Two words: nuclear holocaust. If there's no America, there's no American way.

Best point yet

Are you saying that the Russians would have won without the Allies tying up the Germans in Africa and Italy and later opening up a Western Front?

And if the Americans didn't stop the Japs, no one was going to.

Originally Posted by The Cooler King

Are you saying that the Russians would have won without the Allies tying up the Germans in Africa and Italy and later opening up a Western Front?

And if the Americans didn't stop the Japs, no one was going to.

No i`am not saying neither of that...
Take the WW2 discussion to the correct thread befor we get out of line.

Well then I am correct in saying that The War of 1812, Civil War, WWII and the Cold War all threatened the American way of life.