John McCain and Evan Bayh a few years ago proposed a major expansion of AmeriCorps and other national service programs. A few years earlier, he wrote in the Washington Monthly an empassioned plea for more civilian service.
I was surprised, then, that the Republican platform has no mention of expanding national service. Even though today’s theme at the Republican convention is service, I’ve heard no mention of his previous advocacy. Maybe there’ll be a surprise announcement later.
p.s. here’s the Democratic Party platform plank on national service:
The future of our country will be determined not only by our government and our policies but through the efforts of the American people. That is why we will ask all Americans to be actively involved in meeting the challenges of the new century. In this young century, our military has answered the call to serve, even as that call has come too often. We must now make it possible for all citizens to serve. We will expand AmeriCorps, double the size of the Peace Corps, enable more to serve in the military, create new opportunities for international service, integrate service into primary education, and create new opportunities for experienced and retired persons to serve. And if you invest in America, America will invest in you: we will increase support for service-learning, establish tax incentives for college students who serve, and create scholarships for students who pledge to become teachers. We will use the Internet to better match volunteers to service opportunities. In these ways, we will unleash the power of service to meet America’s challenges in a uniquely American way.
