Mandated Volunteerism is a Bad Thing for Schools
Editor,
History does seem to repeat itself. The growing trend for schools to require that students “voluntarily” contribute hours of enforced community service is certainly noble and praiseworthy.
Our young people need to be taught that contribution to the community is a worthy duty and, after all, it’s their spare time we are demanding, not our own. When I was a young man, the California Conservation Corps epitomized the concept of youth serving the nation but FDR got his idea from abroad.
A powerful western European nation, a nation recognized for its contributions in literature, art, music, and, above all, in the fields of science and mathematics, introduced the idea of youth service to the nation.
Voluntary at first, then later a prerequisite to attending a university, and still later simply mandatory for all youth, this strong, modern nation forced its youth to spend a year in the service of the state.
After all, it’s only right that the energies of youth be harnessed to involuntary servitude as a part of the school system. What nation was that? Surely you all recognize the State Labor Service, the Reichs Arbeit Dienst, of Nazi Germany.
All you school trustees and administrators who require uncompensated community service from your students are in good company with Hitler, Himler, Goebbels, Streicher and the rest of the Nazi thugs my generation exterminated.
John C. Buchanan, Hollister
Why Change Meal Offerings?
Editor,
I am a patient at Northside Nursing Home. I am unhappy with the meals offered. They used to offer hamburger and fries, riblets, chicken tenders or burritos. Now they have everybody on a diet. Those of us not on a diet don’t need diet food. I’d like to see the old menu back.
Northside counts on a lot of donations to run. We’re paying almost $4,000 a month to be here, so I feel like I should have options to have other things. They made these changes without asking any of us. I don’t think it’s right.
Carroll Scott, Hollister
