Since the Great Depression, several presidents have attempted to instill in Americans a greater sense of communal responsibility. In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps. Nearly thirty years later, an ideological descendant, John F. Kennedy, established the Peace Corps. Former President Bill Clinton, who idolized JFK, constructed AmeriCorps in 1993. And in 2002, former President George W. Bush promoted volunteerism by enacting the USA Freedom Corps.President Barack Obama plans to continue this tradition by taking advantage of the growing national desire to serve through the most ambitious volunteer service program in the nation’s history.Harvard professor Stephen Goldsmith told the Chicago Tribune in 2008 the “9/11 generation” is deeply attracted to service as a result of that tragic morning. This, Goldsmith said, represents a real shift to interest in community service.But Obama’s pretension is hardly commendable.The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed House Resolution 1388, also known as the GIVE (Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education) Act. The bill calls for the consideration of a “reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able-bodied young people.” The bill passed 321 to 105 with no Democratic opposition and miniscule Republican support, and is under consideration by the Senate.World Net Daily reported Obama’s Web site, www.change.gov, announced the bill would require all middle school through college students to participate. After an aggressive online backlash ensued, the language was immediately revised.As it stands now, middle school through college students will be required to complete 50 to 100 hours of community service every year.The best part is that membership comes complete with a uniform. Obama did not specify whether the shirts would be brown.The program is expected to cost $6 billion over five years and calls for 250,000 volunteers for a National Civilian Security Force.While promoting this “volunteer security force” during his presidential campaign, Obama said the program should be as powerful, strong and well-funded as the military.Obama did not clarify why a volunteer program with a population of 250,000 should be as well-funded as a national military force of more than 2 million, nor did he clarify what constitutes community service or who will make that decision.In an interview with FOX News, Rep. Joe Wilson, R-SC, questioned whether this was the best use of taxpayer money given the economic climate.What many fail to realize is forced volunteerism is a tax paid with time, not a charitable donation of that time.Joesph Farah, editor of World Net Daily, identified the hypocrisy of Obama’s pledge, asking what happened to Obama’s claim that government spends too much on defense.Regardless, the plan will allegedly strengthen the nation’s social fabric and overcome civic challenges through diversity.Obama apparently doesn’t understand that forced servitude makes individuals less responsible, not more so. It won’t make people more politically engaged precisely because their service is forced.If individuals aren’t motivated to volunteer out of selflessness,  how will government-mandated volunteerism produce engaged citizens?Luke Sheahan, editor of the Family Security Foundation, explained to FOX News that forced charity is contrary to the idea of charity, removing the responsibility for charity from the people to the government.Michael Kinsley from TIME magazine summed up why universal voluntary public service is an oxymoron: “If everybody has to do it, then it’s not voluntary … if it’s truly up to the individual, then it won’t be universal.”J.D. Tuccille, columnist for Civil Liberties Examiner,  expanded on Kinsley’s explanation that forced volunteerism is a contradiction: “…Nobody will be arrested for declining to participate. But non-participants also won’t be allowed to graduate from high school, and without those diplomas, life could get a bit rough.”Tuccille then accused Obama of “soft fascism,” which complicates the identity of “the enemy” and produces no martyrs for the nightly news.The motto of the U.S. Army Infantry is “Follow me.” I urge all those considering service in the name of the defense of this nation to seriously consider doing so.Daniel Lumetta is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Metairie.—-Contact Daniel Lumetta at [email protected]