Americorps — Don’t Blame President Obama

AmeriCorps is sort of an “in-US Peace Corp”. It’s not volunteer as participants are paid. Admittedly they are not paid much, but it is something.

Recently there has been sound and fury about President Obama and Americorps. The biggest issue is the recent firing of the Gerald Walpin, the Inspector General. My assessment is that this firing was personal, political, and wrong. However this would be wrong if it were about the Census, or DOE or any other Executive Branch department. Yes, Walpin was fired because he was objecting to personal use of public funds, but that is not unique to Americorps.

However, critics go beyond this and blame President Obama for the evils of Americorps.

This is mistaken.

Americorps was created by President Clinton and expanded under President Bush. The point is that progressivism and government-sponsored morality are not new to President Obama. Nor are they being awoken from their long slumber by him.

We have had Progressive presidents for years, and from both parties.

About Americorps

Like most government-sponsored morality, there is a general “that makes some sense” about it. For example, consider the Americorps Pledge:

I will get things done for America – to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.

These seem to me like worthy goals. I agree with them — personally, and in civil society. I believe that the best, most effective, and honest way to accomplish them is through free enterprise where needed. I see government lobbying and community organization as fostering a continuing dependence instead of strengthening individuals.

Perhaps that is the key difference, I see that communities and society are an collection of individuals, not an entity that stands apart from people. I believe in bottom-up organization and growth, not top-down management. Attempting to manage a group from the top reduces their individual roles and treats them like cogs in a machine — the antithesis of individuality.

So when a government-sponsored worker adopts this pledge, they are pledging to tamp down the individual and grind off the little corners and edges of people.

Better to get out of people’s way by letting them do what they want and need to survive, while relying on individual charity to help those who need it. That is because people know best what they need to do, and charity givers care deeply and personally about giving money and help to those who really need it (instead of freeloaders).

To me this is common sense.

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