What do drunk drivers, pending high school graduates, and desparate concert goers all have in common? They are compelled to complete community service. Ken Ulman has struck a deal with Virginfest to give tickets to those that complete community service. This is one of those political maneuvers that looks great, but has very little substance.
You can't make people get involved in their community. You can't even encourage them to get involved. In almost all cases, they need to be inspired. These types of programs, whether administered by a judge, a school board, or a concert organizer, do nothing more than make community service into work. Worst of all, those that are "served" are held out as so many pieces of trash that need to be picked up before a goal is reached. That is not service.
If you want to reward service, give the tickets to those that were working the shelters, parks, etc. before there was a Virginfest in Columbia. Or, better yet, give the tickets to those that would never be able to afford to go to a concert...you know...the ones that a "free concert" is targeted towards.
Lack of ongoing and widespread community involvement is the basis for so many many of our problems. If people knew what was going on, they'd be outraged and real change would be possible by voting out incumbents.
ReplyDeleteThere are many community organizations to join, but some are as bad as the politicians. And most people don't have the time to spend on anything but kids, work, etc..
On top of that, the media is a great enabler for keeping people in the dark.