Rick Lowe
On Monday December 7, 2009 The Nassau Guardian suggested "The nation needs a compulsory civil/national service program". Read their entire opinion here…
While the vast majority of Bahamians are concerned about crime, is that really the answer?
An e-mail arrived in my Inbox asking a question and making a couple statements about the Guardian editorial as follows:
"Can our nation, composed mostly of descendants of former slaves, possibly have forgot that involuntary servitude is a violation of our people's human rights?"
"The phrases 'civic service' and 'national service' are terribly Orwellian NewSpeak for a modern form of compulsory servitude."
"Notwithstanding the purported benefits, this intellectually and morally bankrupt proposition by the editors of the Nassau Guardian stands for yet another bogus article of political faith: 'An allegedly good end justifies the employment of any means', even if those means violate the individual rights of those affected."
What do you think?
While National Service might work in some other countries, and while it does not have to be military service as in those other countries,
I think its result would prove to be diametrically opposite to its intended purpose, and for one simple reason:
Our government cannot be trusted to act ethically or lawfully in the running of the country, how on earth could I turn my son or daughter over to them?
I could not envision any scenario where I would feel comfortable with that in the slightest.
It is bad enough that our Sons and Daughters will be subject to their arbitrary Policies and their effects both intended and unintended. The persecution, cronyism, slackness and victimization that they, like us will experience in normal civilian life is bad enough to endure but to willfully put them under direct government custody or control?
Notwithstanding the above, something better be done, even at this late date by PARENTS and the COURTS with respect of the lawlessness and averice of the youth as this is where the responsibility lies.
But, a bit late i’m afraid.
We reap what we sow.
And, Nero fiddles while Rome burns……..
A friend sent this perspective along.
http://bahamianobserver.typepad.com/bahamianobserver/2009/08/national-service-our-nations-saviour.html
I initially held your view Rick ( when the concept was first introduced in the late 80s and it was likely that I would be a part of the first “experiment”.
Being older and a little wiser, I now know that National Service is honourable. It solidifies one’s sense of self and embraces what is menas to be a true Bahamian citizen. I later gave national service as an officer in the public service.
We need to harness the potential of our young people in a coordinated wat. We need to instill a sense of pride and love of country in our young people. National Service is the way to go. It can take a number of forms but whatever it looks like the intent must be to instill self discipline and national pride.
The Late L O Pindling advocated this in the late 80’s … it was shot down ….
If we had implemented those policies – we would created an alternative to curtail the attrition and scarcity of police and Defence force officers – many of whom are in need right now …. through out the land and sea of the Nation.
It can build discipline, self esteem, character and personal perspective for those who participate –
its is a worthwhile venture… but one that should be strategic in nature to the growth and sustenance of the police and defence force respectively!!
I agree with you both,Tmac and Hanna,
IF I thought it could be run right, it would create a sense of national identity, the service of something bigger than self, however, It would become yet another political football, under funded no doubt, with the potential for exploitation and also indoctrination.
Also, government cannot afford to feed never mind fund the exercise if implemented.
It is all well and fine to create such a program if manned by volunteers but conscription?
I think the constitution has something to say about that, mind, we don’t follow it anyway…….
Although I strongly believe that such a program can indeed be great – yes C Lowe precaution is necessary …. too often we build structures and implement policies without a clue as to how to manage, fund and/or maintain over time.
The underlying question was not whether “National Service” might produce some beneficial changes in some young people. But most of the commentators above addressed only the question of purported benefits; they missed the point entirely.
This is the issue: Is compulsory national service a violation of one of the fundamental human rights of Bahamians? And, yes, our children have those rights too.
Before leaping to any conclusions, contemplate these definitions:
Compulsory:
1. Having the power of compulsion; constraining.
[1913 Webster]
2. Obligatory; enjoined by authority; necessary; due to compulsion.
[1913 Webster]
‘Compulsion‘ means involuntary:
Not proceeding from choice; done unwillingly; reluctant; compulsory; as, involuntary submission.
[1913 Webster]
Slavery:
A condition of subjection or submission characterized by lack of freedom of action or of will.
[1913 Webster]
Servitude:
The state of voluntary or compulsory subjection to a master; the condition of being bound to service; the condition of a slave; slavery; bondage; hence, a state of slavish dependence.
[1913 Webster]
Compulsory, ie, involuntary service of any kind, whether public or private, is a form of slavery, however temporary such so-called ‘service’ might be.
Slavery is involuntary servitude, precisely what the ancestors of most Bahamians sought desperately to escape. It was abolished throughout the British Empire in 1833.
Yet, amazingly to me, some amongst us seek to impose a form of involuntary servitude on our own children in a quest for crime reduction and other goals.
How quick men are to exchange their birthrights for some illusory perception of increased security.
We have a sub-culture of young criminals in this country. Virtually all of them have been to government schools for many years, yet they still turned out to be criminals. How could anyone imagine that some new government ‘educational’ or work programme will succeed? I can imagine the creation of an expensive, frightening engine of new government employment, political propaganda and indoctrination that would serve only the interests of politicians.
Numbers of thoughtful parents and their kids will rightly object to and refuse to participate in any involuntary programme. What will the state do to compel them, imprison them, levy huge fines, which when unpaid will result in imprisonment? The state must use coercion; without the threat and imposition of punishment, the state cannot enforce its edicts.
We must stop trying to escape our personal responsibilities by dumping our problems into the gaping maw of government. How many incredibly costly government inefficiencies and failures does it take to learn this lesson?
The problem and the solution are to be found in the parents of today’s and future young criminals, parental failures to teach and imbue their children with the common sense principles and personal benefits of civilised society cannot be cured by a government standing in loco parentis.
Crimes against persons and property are committed by people lacking moral principles. Morality cannot be achieved by legislation or by unlimited legions of police and bureaucrats, it is learnt by children by the good examples, discipline and teachings of their parents.
It is the individual rights and safety thats in need of protection …… so too exist a compulsory policy with regard to children attending school, drivers – obeying all stop signs and lights, business and sole proprietors must paying natonal security dues, Such things in society are necessary for sustenance to individual rights and protection (not limited to the latter) to ensure the stregnthing of common rights and obligations such as defending the homeland and that of intellectual and personal property///
Hanna said…
“It is the individual rights and safety thats in need of protection .”
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I agree with your statement instantly quoted above, that reason is exactly why my reply earlier above was written.
However, most of the examples of obeying the laws which were mentioned carry penalties because viiolations thereof would recklessly endanger or actually damage someone else’s rights or property. In most cases such laws are merely codifications of the ancient principles of English tort law, under such codification one can be punished by the state and in many cases, by any persons whose rights one has infringed.
I argue that involuntary service is clearly violative of our and our children’s rights. Ergo, I respectfully ask:
Pray, tell us how a refusal to send our children into temporary involuntary servitude infringes upon the rights of our fellow citizens and the residents of our country?
And further to one of your points, please can you quote the content of a Bahamas statute which commands the attendance at a government school of any child who is already being educated at home by a qualified teacher?
I agree with Chris, good idea but I don’t think I would leave any of my kids in a police station on this island much less trust them to the”governments” care, not while I am alive.
Lets assume the plan does not call for recruits to actively serve following the training service – but will remain on reserve for a number of years….Lets also assume that this is a program that beckons all citizen aged youth to participate regardless of economic background or color of skin – with the latter being implemented…
As for your question libertas – You made the aware through your question , the caveat that seperates traditional attendees of matriculating schools to that of a “certified teacher at home” – both providing educational planning commensurate with the level of academic skills attainment the gov. seeks – both acheive the same goal sought….for school aged youth
Unless the law has changed – there was a time when parents were held legally responsible for the truancy of their school aged child(ren)….. if that has changed I stand to be corrected.
all your’ll need to stop running on and put sum central air in central andros high school
Thanks all out muh boii.
How about the local government in Central Andros taxing their residents to pay for that A/C since the Nassau government is so broke?