James Bovard takes a very critical look at Americorps (which Congress and Obama plan to greatly expand) in this article.
Does this program do any good? Little or none, answers Bovard, who sees it as just a prop on the stage of political theater, writing, “Congress continues to fill AmeriCorps ranks because it puts a smiley face on big government. Whether or not they produce anything, as long as AmeriCorps’ gray shirts are out there getting PR for helping people, Leviathan can be portrayed as a giant engine of compassion.”
Right now it’s just a waste of resources, but Bovard is concerned that it’s going to morph into something far more nasty, namely compulsory national service. How many members of Congress would think it immoral or unconstitutional for the government to commandeer two years of the life of every young person? Not many. Undoubtedly Obama would be happy to sign such legislation.
