I work at Target, I dislike their support of “National Service”
A few days ago I heard some shocking news of how the company I currently work for, Target, is involved in sponsoring the Service Nation organization. At a glance, Service Nation seems like a wonderful place for volunteers to get more active in bureaucrat positions. I have no idea why anyone would want to become a bureaucrat, (wouldn’t that mean more money from tax victims needed to pay them?) but whatever, right? I can see why some people wouldn’t see a problem with that. Help people in need… Actually, it gets worse.
After doing some research I found that Service Nation actually supports the National Service Act. Do a little web search for these organizations, read some of their own site’s words and find something repulsive to anyone who likes freedom/liberty. The National Service Act would include a mandatory recruiting system for American citizens between the ages of 18-42. Did you get that? The Americans for a National Service Act is in favor of bringing back a draft that is to encourage more members for the military as well as many other government jobs. And we all know how well people perform at their no-competition, government jobs.
You can see their logic, expressed in their FAQ page, explaining how they think it’s not mandatory since one would get to choose which position they worked at, and how they believe American bureaucrats are cheaper than outsourcing jobs. Aside from all this, you have to ask yourself what the difference is between National Service and slavery. Now, I really hate even using that word because of the awful things it brings up―I don’t know much of a better word. How about I use the term the United States’ Constitution uses: involuntary servitude. As in:
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction
U.S CONSTITUTION, THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT
I think it’s somewhat clear. Forcing someone to work, no matter how awesome the work is, is still involuntary servitude. How about let individuals choose how to run their life and do good in the world. I have no problem with getting groups of people together to save the world, but don’t do it on tax-victims’ dollar, and don’t do it in the name of a draft. It messes with people’s lives and just is morally repulsive. Competition and personal choice is what the world truly uses to better itself, and I think the guilt, especially in this society, has been growing way too fast. Did I mention some of the grassroots stuff for Service Nation is going to be held in New York on September 11th? Perhaps more people will be on a bigger guilt trip when looking up at the wonderful landscape of New York City, being asked to sign a petition to help those in need.. through the threat of violence.
So as a Target “team member” (which is their brand term for employee) I am planning in the coming weeks to do a little protest/boycott experimentation, possibly followed up with my resignation from the company. Be sure to check out my stories, videos, and information on my website: jermainejustice.com as well as my BayWords blog, my YouTube channel, and my calls into the nationally syndicated and radio-streamed show/podcast Free Talk Live (freetalklive.com).
Let it be known that I realize Target may not have fully realized and been aware that they were supporting a draft all this time. I can imagine they have been told it’s a great way to bring volunteers into the world, and Target is very community based and loves that stuff. My objective is to make it clear to the people of Target and it’s customers that this could be something worse.
Call it a draft, call it Mandatory National Service, call it Involuntary Servitude. It all sounds rotten to me. Maybe my next topic to talk about will be how income tax is just as bad…
Tags: act, draft, free, free market, free talk live, government, home depot, involuntary servitude, jermaine, jermaine justice, justice, live, mandatory, national, national service, service, service nation, slavery, talk, target, team member, volunteer, volunteerism
August 2nd, 2008 at 17:16
Glad to hear about your efforts to undermine Target’s endorsement of slavery. I love shopping at Target, but I will give it up if they don’t pull their support for this organization.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:31
Congratulations on your efforts to show your disapproval of Target’s lobby towards involuntary slavery. I hope your efforts are well received and I will pay as much attention as I can.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:52
Hi Jermaine, I’m an Americorps alumni currently working with the Service Nation campaign, and I wanted to clear up that Service Nation does *not* support mandatory national service, and never will.
Service Nation wants to promote volunteering and expand programs like Americorps and VISTA that provide voluntary service opportunities around the country, and does not back any legislation that’s calling for mandatory service.
August 6th, 2008 at 16:50
Jermaine:
This sort of thing is why I need to talk to you. This is not only disgusting, it is a lack of loyalty to the company you work for.
I have been looking at your site, and I must say, Nana and I are quite disturbed by the way you have portrayed yourself. Your language, your demeanor, your disrepsect for America. I, personally, am very hurt by who you have become.
I remember the time when you used to carry your Bible, you prayed to receive Christ into your heart and you wanted to live for the Lord. What happened? Just remember, God loves you, and even though you have turned to atheism (which you will repent of on your death bed), God will never leave you…and you may think that you have escaped God, but once you have given your heart to Him (which you did when you were 8 years old) you are part of His family…that cannot change.
I am sorry for you, Jermaine. I do want to talk to you, but I will let you know when.
We love you…just like we have always said…but there are some things that have been said by you recently that we need to talk about.
Love,
Nana and Pop Pop
August 9th, 2008 at 9:17
Hi Jermaine, I found your article about Target’s support of Service Nation very interesting and am looking forward to a response from Target. Now, about those taxes…
August 14th, 2008 at 13:18
Your blog is interesting!
Keep up the good work!
August 19th, 2008 at 23:58
Podcasting Directory…
I wholeheartedly 100% agree. I could not have said it any better…
August 20th, 2008 at 17:36
Jermaine:
If it had not been for the draft we probably would not be a free nation today. Remember, during the times when there was a draft…the USA never lost a war or conflict.
We love you…
Nana and Pop Pop