Kerry's Service Program for our Youth

From NDOL: Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) made a major policy speech on national service yesterday in Manchester, New Hampshire. Addressing a theme central to the New Democrat movement, Kerry called for a "new era of national service open to everyone in the nation," including a big expansion of the AmeriCorps' ranks and a universal community service obligation for high school graduates, among other initiatives.

(From the Kerry website):

"The plan's highlights include:

"SERVICE FOR COLLEGE" INITIATIVE will offer Americans the chance to earn the equivalent of their state's four-year public college tuition in exchange for two years of service. Kerry will set a goal within the next decade of enlisting 500,000 young people a year in Service for College.

HIGH SCHOOL SERVICE REQUIREMENT to ensure that every high school student in America does community service as a requirement for graduation. States would design service programs that meet their community and educational needs.

100,000 OLDER AMERICANS IN SERVICE and a SUMMER OF SERVICE for thirteen to seventeen year olds.

A REBIRTH FOR THE PEACE CORPS by expanding the Peace Corps to 25,000 members.

RECRUITING MORE AMERICANS TO THE MILITARY

CREATING A NEW COMMUNITY DEFENSE SERVICE"

HERE is Kerry's speech where he details his program. And HERE is NDOL's analysis of the program.

What do YOU think of this proposed program? Is it too much or is it something way overdue that will be embraced by our youth? Let me know your comments...