To the editor:
Since the first 2020 Democratic presidential debates, the talk of our country has been surrounded on the candidates, their positions, and the policies which they hope to implement as president. Pete Buttigieg, an underdog for the race to the presidency, recently announced his plan to introduce and increase funding for federal national service programs, which aim to allow young American adults to serve their country through domestic and international social programs.
As a 16-year-old boy, this policy could have a profound impact on myself and my generation if Buttigieg is elected as president. In my opinion, Buttigieg’s call to service could be a great step forward in solving some of America’s most important issues.
In his proposal, Buttigieg cites statistics that claim only a small number of applicants are accepted into current national service programs, with only a 15 percent acceptance rate for AmeriCorps and 20 percent acceptance rate for the Peace Corps. With this large demand among young adults evident, it is astute to utilize this willing, efficient resource.
The benefits of service programs include more than just an increase in the number of young adults attending these programs, as they also lower the cost in sustaining these programs because of the volunteer workforce. The areas that service programs are geared towards are issues of climate change, the support and cures for mental health victims, and the promotion of long-term caregiving and intergenerational mentorship. In addition, Buttigieg claims that incentives for long-term participation in these programs will include collegiate scholarships, which will help achieve a key goal of the Democratic Party: free college education.
Finally, the broader, and perhaps more important benefit of Buttigieg’s plan comes from the enrichment of American nationalism, and the belief to serve for the betterment of others. At a time when our bipartisan system has our country divided, programs which promote the coming together of Americans from all walks of life is essential to helping build bridges between our diverse American society.
Harrison Seeley
Pittsfield
