A New Patriotism

Today, President Obama, who inspired us all with his pledge to "make service a cause of my Presidency" will sign the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. This legislation, which Obama boldly called for in his February Address to Congress, is a milestone for the service movement, and the largest expansion of civilian service since the Depression Era Civilian Conservation Corps. In addition to honoring Senator Kennedy for his tremendous leadership in public service, it received strong bipartisan support with the Senate voting in favor 79 to 19 and the House voting 275 to 149.

But the Serve America Act is more than a service milestone. It contains the seeds for developing a new public philosophy for how we attack an array of persistent societal challenges, from the high school dropout crisis, to poverty and homelessness, to climate change.

For the past 75 years, America has been governed by two major public philosophies. First, in response to the depression and then World War II, Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) completely transformed the role of the federal government. He established it as the center of energy, new ideas, solutions, delivery mechanisms and regulation with his whole alphabet soup--for every problem start a new federal government agency--approach.

FDR's governing philosophy lasted until Ronald Reagan, who in his inaugural address, flipped FDR's philosophy on its head when he said: "Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem." Reagan tapped into a feeling that government had grown too bureaucratic and resistant to change. Reagan's governing philosophy began to run out of gas with the Katrina disaster of 2005 and then ended with the complete melt down of the financial markets last fall. We've discovered if we simply view government as the problem, we end up with ineffective government.

Further, neither FDR's philosophy nor Reagan's is appropriate for the unique challenges and opportunities we face today. President Obama acknowledged this stalemate when he stated in his Inaugural address: "The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works."

It is not surprising we would be searching for a new public philosophy at this time.

As Arthur Schlesinger Jr. argued, American history moves in cycles between "public purpose" and "private interest," a cycle that begins anew approximately every 30 years. It has been 30 years since the Proposition 13 California Tax revolt of 1978 which propelled the Reagan revolution, to the election of Barack Obama in 2008. And, we are now, at the beginning of a new cycle of reform. Both political parties, if they are smart, will compete to be the party of reform and to define a new public philosophy. The one that does so most successfully will likely govern the country for at least the next generation or two.

What are the key elements of a new public philosophy and how does the Kennedy Serve America Act advance it?

The first key tenet of a new public philosophy should be we need Big Citizenship not Big Government. (My partner in founding City Year, Michael Brown, coined the phrase Big Citizenship 15 years ago.) In developing a new approach to addressing our 21st Century challenges, we need to look to what has always been America's greatest natural resource - We the People. From our revolutionary citizen soldiers, to the numerous voluntary associations that so impressed De Tocqueville, to the abolitionists, the suffragists, trade unionists and the civil rights marchers, it has always been citizens that have led great change in America.

The Kennedy Serve America Act provides for a new citizen army to tackle our pressing problems in education, the environment, fighting poverty, public health and supporting our Veterans. It establishes issue focused corps while growing AmeriCorps from the current 75,000 people a year to 250,000 people a year. It encourages millions of Americans to engage in traditional volunteer service through a new volunteer generation matching fund, Volunteers for Prosperity which will support work overseas, new service learning efforts in schools and on college campuses and more.

Second, a new public philosophy needs to look to entrepreneurs and innovators in both the private and social sectors to create the new solutions for our most pressing challenges.

This has worked throughout our history. Entrepreneurs invented the innovations of first the industrial revolution and now the information revolution that has made our economy the most productive in the world. And social entrepreneurs invented the public school, the public library, the settlement houses and so much more that has sustained our civic life.

The Kennedy Serve America Act recognizes the social entrepreneurship revolution. It establishes a new "Social Innovation Fund" to take promising innovative organizations to scale. It also provides fellowships to seed new generations of social entrepreneurs from Millennials to Boomers, who will invent the next Habitat for Humanity, Harlem Children's Zone, Share Our Strength, Teach For America or Youthbuild.

Third, rather than looking to government alone to address our problems, or relying exclusively on the private marketplace, we need new partnerships among government, the private sector, and the non-profit sector each doing what each does best.

For every issue we confront, we need to ask: What role can citizens play in solving this problem? What role can entrepreneurs play? What role should the government play? What should the private sector do? And what should the non-profit sector do?

21st Century solutions and systems will need to engage all five sectors in powerful combinations, if we are going to invent the new holistic solutions to our challenges.

In particular, the government's role should continue to change from being the primary deliverer of services, to one of setting big goals, establishing the rules of the game, conducting oversight and regulation, and using incentives by growing what works, and eliminating funding for programs that fail.

The Kennedy Serve America Act recognizes this new role for government and the need for new public-private partnerships. Its new programs are not federally run like the 60's era Peace Corps or VISTA. Rather, they will be established through the Corporation for National and Community Service funding the best local, state and national organizations through a competitive grants process that requires matching funds from the private sector.

Fourth, a new public philosophy recognizes that we need to modernize. We need to take full advantage of the myriad of possibilities for new technological breakthroughs to empower citizens, make government more effective and efficient, and new partnerships possible. As President Obama has argued we need "Ipod Government."

Modernization also means while not relying exclusively on the private market to meet our needs, we do need to use time-tested market principles in constructing new solutions. These include: competition, transparency, accountability, choice, standards to measure effectiveness and experimentation. We need to recapture our risk-taking spirit and move beyond stultified bureaucracies.

What should we call this new Public Philosophy for the 21st Century? Perhaps a New Patriotism sums it up best. For, at its heart, this new public philosophy and the Kennedy Serve America Act is an attempt to call on all citizens and sectors to put country before self interest, to say that we need all hands on deck if we are finally to come to grips with our pressing challenges in education, health care, the environment, poverty and more. Another great Kennedy challenged us years ago to "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." All of us, as individual citizens, as companies and organizations, and as communities, need to reflect upon that "ask not" question and to the best of our abilities live up to its challenge if we are to seize the opportunities and meet the test of our times.

The Kennedy Serve America Act is a major step towards our doing so.

Alan Khazei is the Founder and CEO of Be The Change, Inc. and the Co-Founder of City Year.

Comments

[glockman]

"He established it as the center of energy, new ideas, solutions, delivery mechanisms and regulation with his whole alphabet soup--for every problem start a new federal government agency--approach"

This is the phrase that bothers me most. I don't see the govt. as the center of energy, or new ideas. I see a free and dynamic people as the centers of energy and the best hope for new ideas. Govt. didn't invent the automobile, or the delivery pizza, or color television. Govt. didn't write _Moby Dick_ (Hawthorne) or _Their Eyes were Watching God_ (Hurston). Govt. didn't create the game of baseball or paint "American Gothic."

And I simply do not believe that love of country is something that can be forced or taught. That's why I don't believe in forcing kids to stand up and say the pledge in school, or the draft, and that's why I'm leery of paying someone for "National Service."

[ConnieInCleveland]

This could be a new day. We haven't seen it in the past, but that doesn't mean it should not be our future. We must work today enabling a better tomorrow.

Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a Gift, that's why we call it Present

We must use the gift of today, to work towards a better tomorrow. Granted we have had some bad leadership for the past eight years. Everyone is afraid of change. We want it! We just don't know what we want? I want positive help for our fellow man in my future! I don't want to see Americans living in tent cities! I don't want to watch people suffer! I want change! Many people who are out of work, aren't there by choice. Things went terribly wrong in America. It's time to change course. More of the same political rhetoric is not the way to a progressive future.

The election is over! It's time to move along with change, which will benefit people who have been hurt, by the failures of our past. Yesterday is over. It's today. We are responsible for what we do today. President Obama is trying to guide today for a better tomorrow.

[glockman]

That's, uh, great. Maybe now you can address my point.

Is this an advertisement?

[DogLeg]

I say "Restart the Selective Service Program. Draft everybody including the functional disabled, from the age of 18 through 34. Sort them all out into every military branch, and every department of the U.S. Government. Give them medical/dental like the military. There will be no exclusions, no deferments and no if, ands or buts. They do it for two years, with a two week vacation each year. Everybody does bootcamp at Ft. Bliss, Texas. They all wear the same uniform which would be created to indicate this act just passed. The uniform will be designed to minimize any fashion statement or it will match ethnic origin to the uniform. There would be no grouping of ethnic origin in any assignment. No one would be allowed to call home during boot camp. The pay would be $110.00 a month, boarded, roomed, transported in/by military facilities.

Hehhehheheh. Then you get either an Honorable discharge, a Section 8 for being insane, or you will never be eligible for any government benefits, like Social Security, unemployment, medical insurance, etc.

[FernandoRuiz]

Excellent commentary Mr. Khazei. I loved your assessment of both FDR, and Reagan's approaches to the problems in our society, and why they are both lacking in certain areas in regards to the problems our nation currently faces. I agree wholeheartedly that we need Big Citizenship and that neither the government, nor the private sector can solve our problems. You have inspired me sir

[PlaceboStudman]

What is sad to me is that people seem to believe they have to be a part of a group, join an organization, or donate to a charity to fulfill their service duty.

But, no one does have to do that.

The best most effective forms of public community service come from people, to people. You don't have to be TOO organized to fix a meal for an elderly or sick neighbor. You don't have to be too organized or join a charity to make phone calls to an elderly or disabled person who lives alone and would love just some company, someone to talk to. You don't have to donate money to a charity to offer to drive a neighbor to the grocery store or pharmacy.

All you have to do is open your eyes, pick up the phone or go next door, or across the street and ask your neighbor "is there anything I can do to make your life easier today?"

That is the spirit in which this act was intended

[Randian]

I agree completely. It does not require an act of Congress toencourage volunteerism. Teh question I have is, why is it so necessary to have a governmental run organization?
Why not fund existing organizations through a granting process, much more efficient. Similar to a Thousand Points of Light of Bush I.

Answer: There will be a required curriculum for the trainess to go through and that curriculm will encourage Big Citizenry.
Once again Obama has borrowed well from an existing model. Unfortunately this model, Nashi, is the one employed now by Putin.

[webnuts4u2]

Every young person in the country should be required to serve the US in some capacity. Military or civil. They need some discipline and this would do it.

[glockman]

You are dead wrong about his. Forced nationalism is dangerous. It is wrong to force children to say the pledge, it is wrong to draft an involuntary army.

The best way to inspire love of country and devotion to its principles is to allow people to pursue the dreams they have. Governments job is to make sure civil liberties and opportunities are available to everyone, once that is guaranteed, patriotism (for lack of a better word) will be the byproduct.

[Stunatra]

That is unconstitutional. This country was founded on freedom. Forcing its citizens to do something that they shouldn't have to and don't want to do is wrong.

[RenoSage]

It is good to see opportunities for young people to serve, spending a growing-up year experiencing
real growth in understanding while improving conditions for others. The Americorps is a case in point.
I believe that a service year, either military or public service would serve the country well. As well as
the individual participating.

I, too, have volunteered, as have my whole family, and the benefits to the participants have beei
heartwarming.

[Bush-Rolled]

Isn't this the program that Minnesota Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R) warned us about?

[FernandoRuiz]

Sadly yes, there are people who are just uninformed and criticize without having any real evidence to back up their delusions. And even sadder yet there are thousands that believe her

[BaltoAman]

OK, I figure I "serve" the Fed, State, local governments about 700 hours every year, in the form of taxes.

Does that count?

[JD44Irish]

If done right, Civil Service should reduce the amount of taxes necessary because of the free labor. The flip side is that the free labor will put many government workers out of a job. Lets face it, its cheaper to have an 18 year old kid take DMV photos for free than it is to have the surly minimum wage worker with full benefits do it.

With luck, only the good employees will be left and Ms. Surley will be out of a job!

No to mention that we will teach our teenagers the value of an honest days work and they will have the opportunity to be exposed to new lifestyles.

Civil Service was my favorite Obama issue.

[FernandoRuiz]

NO

[FernandoRuiz]

Can you conservatives stop thinking with your pocket for two seconds. This isnt about serving your government, its about serving your fellow man. For some strange reason you people love to put compassionate in front of the word conservatism, strictly for PR purposes, but compassion is something you rarely opt to display

[glockman]

It's called volunteerism, and it's better when done without govt. interference.

[roshni]

No. It's not about your pocketbook. It's about providing a service to those less fortunate or to help the environment.

[STG 44]

Government is the problem, freedom is the answer. Secession Now!

[FernandoRuiz]

Real patriotic

[Stunatra]

Recession is patriotic.

[roshni]

Don't let the door hit you, etc etc.

[glockman]

Govt. is not the problem, it's disfunctional govt. that's the problem. The fed govt. is supposed to promote the general welfare by guaranteeing equal access to opportunity. Govt. is supposed to provide the atmosphere to allow anyone to pursue what they want.

[siegfried89]

I'll sign up when they really get serious about corporate corruption.

[PocketWatch]

In concept, I've always throught that mandatory (yes, I said that) service to your country for a year after high school (for which you receive a huge discount on the cost of a college or trade scholl education) might be a good idea. Why? Well, for one thing, it would give most of our kids an opportunity to grow up. I see a bunch of little princes and princesses out there that think that the world owes them something, and have no idea how to operate independently of mommy and daddy and their money. I see a lot of underpriviledged kids that have no idea how to operate in a team and work towards a goal. But, above all of that, I think about how men and women that have served in the military never forget the experience and have things in common to talk about and relate to afterwards. There is a bond that develops that makes them more of a citizen IMO. Is this realistic? Is it possible? Am I crazy. Maybe, but I think there ARE positive things that could out of something like that. Just sayin'

[dadw5boys]

You hit this nail on the head but Elite Mommy and Daddy will not allow their lambs down where the real work is done. They will let their kids volunteer at the Libary or a Hospital pushing a drink and book cart around.
The food lines at shelters and helping the homeless are not for them.

We see that here all the time.

.

[RenoSage]

I do think every young man and woman would benefit from a mandatory service, and the world
would benefit also.

[roshni]

many schools have service as part of their curriculum. I don't think it's necessary to bash young people. A lot of them are more philathropic than the baby boomers I know.

[glockman]

Mandatory service it antithetical to the constitutional guarantee of freedom. It is much better to foster the desire to volunteer or serve through equal access to all freedoms and civil liberties.

[DavidBSmith]

This is a compelling and ambitious vision. Kudos Alan!

I completely agree with your ideals governing this New Patriotism, especially the desire to fuel social innovation and enterprise, the goal for service to be focused on problem solving, and the need for a common set of metrics that will allow us to measure the true impact of this work.

The Edward Kennedy Serve America Act is a landmark investment in national and community service, and I know it intends to measure and track the true civic health returns that are yielded by this investment. This information will be key in dispelling any myths about national service, giving examples of significant successes, and ensuring that we are getting the biggest bang for our buck.

Congratulations again on championing this piece of legislation, and count me in as a "New Patriot" ready to step up and redefine what it means to be a modern citizen.

[Haitiana4Obama]

I've been actively volunteering since the campaign and found that it reminded me of what I used to do as a young girl growing up in the Church. President Obama motivated me to be self-less and I am inspired to give my all to a better world. I hope everyone rolls up their sleeves and serves this country in constructive ways, not by dumping tea into a lake somewhere.

[roshni]

I've been doing the same and it's been great to meet like minded people who care about something beside their own money.

[StL]

Is the word " mandetory " in or at again ?

[AmbroseBierce]

I'm going to volunteer every minute of every day for the rest of my life until this country is a peaceful place. God Bless America.