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Is it just me? Posted at 06:14 AM - 03/24/09 in General by Dennis

OK, so check out this link.

www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/03/18/house-readies-passage-volunteerism-critics-pricey-forced-service/

First of all, I am not a political activist.  I find that in most cases political types "spin" any piece of legislation to support their agenda.  I am a bit cynical, I know.  However, I am of the opinion that the government is going to do what it wants to whether I agree or not. 

I wanted to find out more about this piece of legislation after I heard about it at work.  I read the article, and then I read the text of the bill (HR 1388).  The version of the bill presented to the House had a provision for a commission to be formed that would: "address and analyze the following specific topics: (6) Whether a workable, fair, and reasonable mandatory service requirement for all able young people could be developed, and how such a requirement could be implemented in a manner that would strengthen the social fabric of the Nation and overcome civic challenges by bringing together people from diverse economic, ethnic, and educational backgrounds. "  The section that contained this provision does not appear to be in the version being sent to the Senate for a vote.

I must say that the idea of "mandatory volunteering" bothers me, but so does the text from Sec 1304 which changes Sec 125 of the US Code to specifically prohibit grant recipients from (among other activities):  "(7) Engaging in religious instruction, conducting worship services, providing instruction as part of a program that includes mandatory religious instruction or worship, constructing or operating facilities devoted to religious instruction or worship, maintaining facilities primarily or inherently devoted to religious instruction or worship, or engaging in any form of religious proselytization."

As I read that, cleaning your local church can't be considered volunteering, but then does that also include volunteering at a faith-based homeless shelter?  Or a children's home?

This is a long post, and I guess the question I have is:

Is it just me, or is this administration shoving through legislation as fast as possible hoping that the American people won't notice the fine print?