Experience the convenience of listening to Fox News articles! Our country, our system, and our trust in one another have all been shaken. The foundation of our political disagreements, the venomous attacks, hostility, and anger, lies in one simple truth – we are strangers to each other, and even to ourselves. Consequently, our faith in democracy has wavered. However, this lack of faith is not blind nationalism; rather, it is a belief in our imperfect democracy as a work in progress. It is a belief that we can forge ahead, building a more inclusive system that serves all citizens better. It is a belief that our differences, instead of dividing us, make our country stronger.
Nevertheless, we must also foster a shared belief in our nation and our system. Something greater than ourselves. A nation that, despite our differences, unites for the cause of freedom and the pursuit of economic and national security. It is not something we can achieve with handouts or restricted speech. Instead, we must reintroduce ourselves to one another and rediscover our country. National service provides a means for Americans to come together, embracing our differences to move our nation forward.
Regrettably, our country seems to have forgotten its identity and lost its drive. The National Assessment of Educational Progress reveals a steady decline in history and civics education. Shockingly, only 13% of eighth graders meet the proficiency standard in history, and a mere 20% in civics. The 2022 Annenberg Civics Knowledge Survey shows that less than half of Americans can name all three branches of government, with less than 25% identifying freedom of religion as a constitutional guarantee.
Furthermore, we are becoming a nation of poor readers. In 2022, two-thirds of eighth graders were not proficient in reading, and half of high school seniors were reading at a sixth-grade level. Only 37% of these seniors meet college standards for math and reading. This generation of students, lacking basic reading and math skills, will struggle to compete in the increasingly competitive world of tomorrow. Interestingly, if we can raise all Americans to a sixth-grade reading level, our GDP could increase by $2.2 trillion.
As a nation, we are hurting. We have replaced genuine purpose and meaning with the empty pursuit of instant gratification through social media. Likes, clicks, retweets, and shares have become substitutes for real interaction and engagement. Devastatingly, one in three teenage girls seriously considered suicide in 2021, making it the second leading cause of death among 15- to 24-year-olds. Social media does play a role in this epidemic.
A significant 78% of Americans believe their children’s lives will be worse than their own. The loss of faith is evident. However, we can change the trajectory of our country. Now is the time to challenge ourselves with a new call to service. National service enables us to bridge gaps, fostering connections and unity among diverse communities. By engaging with people different from ourselves and from various parts of the country, we realize that we are more similar than we are different. We share hopes, dreams, fears, and worries. When we grasp this truth, we understand that our political divisions do not define us. When we roll up our sleeves and embark on meaningful and challenging missions, we gain a deeper appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities our country affords us.
National service is not solely about military service, although that is a noble and powerful calling that deserves encouragement. It entails creating programs and opportunities to address the growing inequality and pressing challenges our nation faces. This effort is not led by the government; rather, it involves the establishment of a service requirement administered through a robust system of nonprofit initiatives, with government assistance, to bridge gaps between citizens and communities. One possible form of national service is teaching children how to read.
This endeavor is not entirely altruistic. For instance, individuals seeking student loan forgiveness could spend a year teaching reading in underserved communities. Medical students could dedicate their time to providing healthcare in communities lacking sufficient services. Psychology students could support mental health clinics, while computer science students could teach basic technology skills to seniors. Liberal arts students could contribute to reading programs for low-income students. If we raise the reading standard of our nation by just one level, we could increase our GDP by nearly $2 trillion.
America cannot continue on its current path. We face a generation burdened by mental distress like never before. Illiteracy rates are rising, and we are increasingly isolated from one another. Pessimism about America’s future clouds the minds of our youth. We spend too much time focusing on our differences and not enough time recognizing our similarities. It is time to establish a new contract between citizens and our democracy, acknowledging that freedom entails responsibility to our country and to each other. Mobilizing Americans through national service and facilitating their interaction with fellow citizens will make it harder for politics, adversaries, and demagogues to divide us. National service enables Americans to give back to the country that allows them the freedom and opportunity to shape their own destiny. It serves as a reminder that our democracy requires constant renewal and investment to prevent its demise. National service reminds us that America is greater than the problems we face, even if it may not seem that way today.
Now is the time for national service to rekindle the appreciation for the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy. It is an opportunity to be your own person while making a difference in your own unique way. A national service requirement can help combat the growing mediocrity that threatens our nation, averting division and collapse. Let us step outside our comfort zone and rediscover the greatness of our country.
To read more insightful opinions from Mike Rogers, former Republican representative of Michigan’s 8th District, click here.
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