It would be a good start to at least find a way for Americans to spend a little time overseas and see what life is like outside the US.
One of my sisters has lived in the UK for the past 30 years, and all her kids travel and have done time working for charity groups in Africa. Things like this are great for building awareness of the world and for appreciating what they have at home, and benefits everyone.
I'm tired of Americans complaining about how bad life is in the US when they can't even find other countries on a map, much less have the slightest clue as to what the alternatives are like.
I spent a summer in high school working on a cargo ship and spent a lot of time going between Morocco, Italy and Yugoslavia. It was a real wake up call to see life in these places, especially lessons learned from a guy arrested and tortured in Yugoslavia (he got drunk and fell asleep in someone's rowboat and was tortured for 2 months before his embassy got him out). People who say we live in a police state and all that crap just have no clue at all... but they still vote like they do.
Exactly. I cannot tell you how much it helped me to live almost 2 years overseas, in Colombia where my father was at the time. I NEVER, EVER realized how good I had it at home. It opened my eyes and to this day I still do things that help those in Colombia and that part of the world.
However, it is hard to explain to people who have never been to places like that and actually witnessed first hand the poverty, etc....it can only make you a better person and more thankful for what you have.
No, no, no.
You DON'T want the military sgt's and non-com's ""baby-sitting" their UNWILLINGLY PRESENT and resentful) draftees on a daily and hourly basis just to "rteach" the youth a lesson in life and "how to grow up by mopping floors and cleaning toilets and marching" ...
The FIGHTIGN military is NOT a school for "social growth" and socail workshops. I KNOW that is what happened you (and I) were in the military and went throug the hardships of the military.
Irrelevent.
We grew BECAUSE of the hardships BECAUSE we wanted a better military by our OWN actions. Our OWn decision to accept the hardships of the military. Forciong a person to go through those same hardships - espcially when there is NO REASON for the hardships (no WWII situation) - HURTS and creates a hatred for the military. (which may be why Rangel wants it!
He WANTS the military to be hated and resented for causing "me to sit here in the colds and rain because I was drafted" ......
You WANT your sgt's and non-com's TRAINING and improving their MILITARY ABILITY of the WILLING soldiers and sailors and airmen they lead.
You don't them distracted by millions of discipline activities and sabotage and bad actions.