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It also implies that most normal work isn't in the interest of society, which if that were true, would be a major problem on its own. In what sense is 2 years o
by tshaddox 6mo ago
It also implies that most normal work isn't in the interest of society, which if that were true, would be a major problem on its own. In what sense is 2 years of military service or "community service" strictly better for society than going to school, or working as a waiter, or starting a small business?
- mlsu 6mo agoI mean, yes? I think when we say, we should force 18 year olds to do something useful for society instead of working doordash or taking college classes that they don't care about, that is kind of saying something about the usefulness of those things. If the market figured it out we wouldn't be having these discussions in the first place.
- mothballed 6mo agoIt's not a market failure. If you pay enough money you can attract either citizens or even destitute African people to volunteer to get blown up for the glory of Trump and the oil companies.
- joquarky 6mo agoThe only reason to force two years of service is to reinforce conformity and suppress outward signs of neurodivergence.
- antisthenes 6mo agoRoughly speaking, 2 years of community service should be worth some % of local & federal taxes. In a developed society, I'm not sure what kind of labor an 18-year old can perform (what I mean is that it would be mostly unskilled labor), that would be better than taxing this same individual later in life, without delaying their education by 2 years. I suppose there would have to be exemptions for college students as there typically are in such schemes in other countries?
- quantified 6mo agoShouldn't be. Just have a more-level playing field, make everyone (college-track or not) participate. You seem to assume that tax dollars are equivalent to labor. A pile of quarters never did anything sitting there, it takes a human to do something for the most part. Money is a tool sitting there, not actual work.
- antisthenes 6mo ago> A pile of quarters never did anything sitting there Luckily, we don't have a pile of quarters sitting there doing anything, because the US operates at a deficit. So dollars are being borrowed then spent on projects.
- quantified 6mo agoSorry, I'm not sure what you're trying to say there. Borrowing money somehow does useful work without being spent?