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A Call for National Service By
Dr Ada M. Fisher
September 28, 2005 Source: The North Carolina Conservative The National Disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina has proven that we need more citizen volunteers for National Service between 18-30. Older workers with critical talents in public health, the coast guard, as well as private groups such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army need more to step forward to help. Right now this nation is most vulnerable to a terrorist attack and we don’t have the troops we need for domestic and international operations.Building Homeland Defense requires direct military services for the home front, public health, infrastructure systems as well as civil defense systems. We must be able to defend our nation, as the federal Oaths of Offices require from enemies domestic and foreign. We need people as leaders who understand that National Security isn’t just about wars and national security but protecting the sanctity of our land and welfare of her peoples. It is time we got real and put the people in place this will take. Our young people need more work skills as well as experiences. Now is the time to ask of them that they step forward to serve. When we all are asked to equitably sacrifice for those values we espouse, we make it so. Options for service include the military (with the inducement being higher pay), public safety and first responders, teaching as paid assistants (which would relieve the burden on local education budgets), or workers in hospitals and nursing homes as orderlies or aids, Volunteers in Service to America, the Peace Corps or private agencies with national scopes. Dr. Rhonda Fisher Kroll my oldest niece, who is also a physician, lives in New Orleans, LA. When told of the pending arrival of Hurricane Katrina, she put her kids on a plane and stayed behind to help. Those like me with unique skills should also volunteer and sign up to serve which I have. This disaster can pull us together and bring jobs back in this country, with a compassionate conservative’s national paradigm shift. It is past time that corporations appreciated they can’t operate autonomously with no responsibility to this nation’s National Security. It isn’t about just making a buck; we must put our people first, as in We The People. The solutions to disasters have roots right here. A radio listener said “Let the cruise liners come off shore to assist in providing temporary housing for people.” Go for it and give them a total tax write-off. Bottled water and food should be shipped gratis with full tax credits for this effort. Colleges can expand their admissions for those students with acceptance letters and/or completed federal student applications for student aid (fafsa), which will take thousands in and decrease their parent’s worry. When jobs were outsourced too few looked at the possible impacts from a national disaster with the devastation on our national needs as is now being seen. Corporations need to step to the plate and own up to their part in our nation’s defense and security solutions. Start with alternative energy using wind, water and sun as well as hydrogen fuel cells. We cannot continue gas guzzling. Farming can be expanded to stimulate an organic option for family farms or medicinal herbs. NC State and A&T should be on the forefront of this. Housing using a modular concrete system developed through Thom Cross’ team at Oakwood International in Richland, NC can be adapted to any living condition and shipped as well as up in 16 days anywhere in the world whether war threatens or the environment blows part of our homelands to smithereens. Warren County’s “Soul City” sits somewhat vacant. Greenevers, Fairmont and other rural areas losing populations can offer housing for the displaced. Desalination technology from Duke or UNC’s oceanology efforts is a must as the amount of fresh water available worldwide steadily decreases. Sustainability efforts in recycling buildings, tires, rebuilding and preserving historic structures offers limitless options for tradesmen to find jobs in infra-structure repairs. We are a great nation with so much untapped promise. It is time for each of us to step to the plate to help and demand the same of our young as well as ourselves as we mend this nation and bind our wounds. DR. ADA M. FISHER IS A PHYSICIAN, LICENSED TEACHER FOR SECONDARY EDUCATION IN MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE, PREVIOUSLY ELECTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, AND WAS A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR THE US SENATE IN 2002 AND 12TH US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN 2004. CONTACT HER AT P. O. BOX 777; SALISBURY, NC 28145; TELEPHONE (704) 637-6134. The North Carolina Conservative can be found at http://www.northcarolinaconservative.com.
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