Forum Post: Draft for Food

Not sure if something like this would ever get implemented but it might be a good start for something concrete to rally around. The idea would be to have the government to up a new kind of draft program focused on getting Americans to work by helping feed Americans. Basically the program would ship you off to some farm during the growing season, you'd help plant, harvest, etc., and the food would go to help feed all Americans.

Basically the goals:

1. Make sure everyone has enough to eat. (well duh).
2. Effectively give workers a raise and some more flexibility in where they work by taking the cost of food out of every budget.
3. Show all the naysayers that this isn't some lazy group that wants handouts.
4. Houses and feeds the people that work the farms through the seasons (similar to dorms).

What I haven't really thought out too much that could use some brainstorming:

1. What kind of food? It would probably be basics like bread, milk, etc. But the goal wouldn't be for the government to have complete control over the food supply, if you want other items you'd still be free to go buy them if you have a job.

2. What if anything does the worker get paid? I was thinking something modest like $5000 for the season. I know thats low but this isn't really meant to be a career path for someone but something that works for the people by the people. Keep in mind though, you'd be fed and housed while doing this. Also, for anyone flat on their ass thats actually a decent chunk of change.

The biggest complaint I foresee with a program like this is the cries that its the start of a centralized government and/or socialism/communism. Well quite frankly so what. Capitalism has utterly failed to make food affordable to everyone. Its time to stop profiteering off people's needs for trinkets.