Posts Tagged ‘involuntary servitude’

I work at Target, I dislike their support of “National Service”

Friday, August 1st, 2008

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 upI 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…