***Am I serving my country????***

[Kade]

I'm an AmeriCorps Service Member and I joined with the mindset that I wanted to serve my country in a way that didn't involve me killing another being. Working with AmeriCorps has shown me some amazing things and at the same time the heart wrenching and dire status of a significant, and under represented, portion of this country's population.

But I've been thinking....is my work really all its cracked up to be? Obviously the food I pass out and the tutoring I do makes a difference. But in the end, am I just indirectly assisting an Administration that I despise? Is my pledge to work for less than minimum wage really just a way for this government to spend more on military expenditures and less on eradicating things like poverty, illiteracy, and a host of other domestic social problems? Am I a crutch? :shrug:

I don't know. Just confused and was hoping to get the opinion of the DU faithful. Anyone ever been an AmeriCorps, AmeriCorpsVISTA, or NCCC before? How did you perceive your service from a political stand point?

Thanks,
Kade

[William769]

1. AmeriCorps is a great program

You are doing a great service to your Country. I doubt Bush even knows what it is.

[SmokingJacket]

2. No, I don't think you're a crutch.

I believe strongly in public service, so thank you.

Every dollar paid to you is another dollar NOT going to the military -- think of that way.

[Kade]

3. Good way to look at it....

....definitely a "glass is half full stance." I like that. Every dollar I get is one less dollar BushCo can spend on its war.


-Kade

[atreides1]

4. What do you feel in your heart?

What you feel within yourself is the gage that you must use, no one here can give you a "correct" answer, because only you can provide the answer you're looking for.

Ask yourself, are there other programs that you can become a part of that do the same thing that you're doing now, passing out food, tutoring, helping those in need?

I'm afraid that's as much as I can offer you, the rest, what you decide has to come from you.

Good luck.

[Kade]

5. Thats also a good point

Ultimately my stance was that government in general is not to be feared, just those parts corrupted by the current administration. I refuse to let Bush and the GOP hardliners steal my country from me. This nation has such potential to help the world fight hunger, illiteracy, etc. and yet, instead our political leaders start wars and point fingers.

I felt (and still feel to some degree) that joining AmeriCorps was my way of serving my country and still opposing a fraudulent war.


-Kade

[Kade]

6. kick.

:kick: