The latest version of H.R. 1388, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, is a slush fund for groups like ACORN and Planned Parenthood. It was passed by the House on March 31. This version includes Senate language from S. 277. It will now go to President Obama for his signature.
The massive “volunteerism” legislation pays people, organizations, and educational institutions to “volunteer.” (There were five different versions of H.R. 1388. The language and sections are frequently different.)
However, H.R. 1388, as passed by the Senate, contains language in Section 132A that forbids funds going to any entity that is: Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of proselytization, consistent with section 132.
So, anti-Christian bigotry is embedded in this legislation. It is designed to provide funds for secularists, but not faith-based individuals or organizations.
In addition, the original bill contained language that urged a “study” of ways that young people could be forced into “mandatory” service for the government, but it was quietly removed.
Unfortunately, a new bill has appeared that will accomplish the same objective in forcing young people into service activities. The bill is H.R. 1444 introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA).
Mandatory Volunteerism In H.R. 1444
Under Section 4(b)6, it states: “Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds.”
H.R. 1444 would establish a Congressional Commission on Civic Service to “study” ways of improving volunteerism and national service. The plan to encourage “national service” will include children in primary schools.
On Barack Obama’s old “Change.gov” web site, a section called “America Serves” discussed the need for a Classroom Corps, a Health Corps, Clean Energy Corps, and Veterans Corps. The site stated: “Obama will call on citizens of all ages to serve America, by developing a plan to require 50 hours of community service in middle school and high school and 100 hours of community service in college every year.” Each student “volunteer” will be bribed with tax credits for their education.
Americans volunteer on their own. They do not need federal legislation or bribes to get them to volunteer. This is just another way to funnel money to liberal’s favorite causes and front groups. In addition, H.R. 1444 will permit the federal government to create a mandatory service program for young people and others who may be targeted for “service” to the government.
Source: Traditional Values Coalition On-line Newsletter, April 1, 2009.