this post was submitted on 08 Sep 2024
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So there was a reduction of family-operators farming between 1950 and 1990; by 74%. Of course, the number of hired workers has risen. On the surface that makes sense. I would imagine that farms hire illegal immigrants so that they can pay them less than the minimum visa-required pay (which is slightly more than minimum wage); probably also do not provide much in the way of benefits or vacation either. That’s my hunch.
But if i were a young man, and i went through college, and was struggling finding a career in my field and facing the student debt i no-doubt accrued during college, i sure as shit wouldn’t want to spend any amount of time doing indentured servitude. If i did, I’d voluntarily join the Peace Corps or something.
This is insane.
Would you feel differently if people who choose to serve have student debt forgiveness? Like, if the GI Bill covered participants?
I have no issue with people choosing to do anything, regardless of the incentives. What i do have a problem with is the idea of mandatory service that people have no good choice over.
Fair. I get that. I do think it could be something great, but agree it would be better structured as voluntary with heavy incentives for participating.
That said, to your original point, I doubt the intent was to have mandatory service for recent college graduates. Most systems like this require service immediately after high school. So you wouldn't have a bunch of debt or anything at that point.
I don't see well-paid civil service as a bad idea. Farming is a way of life, done right, and some of us like it and are willing. When a friend in Germany was about finished with Gymnasium (secondary school) was being faced with mandatory military or civil service. They chose civil, I forget what they did, probably something in IT field. It depends on need and ability what choices are available, but there were several options available and they didn't hate the idea of a few. It prepared them for university, today they are living quite decently abroad, in the final stages of writing their dissertation. If the USA had this and did it correctly, (proper cool off breaks, hydration, well-paid with comprehensive medical), I see it as a boon with real life skills gained, money to start a life, and a more self-sufficient, yet interdependent society.