Every American should be required to give back through mandatory participation in a national service program.

From the time we are born until we die everyone in America contributes to our individual wellbeing. Taxes pay for much our education, our security and our medical care. As in many developed countries, every American should be required to also give back through mandatory participation in a national service program. National service would allow young people the opportunity to be productive in ways they may never before had an opportunity to experience. Service choices could range from the military and forest service to local community outreach programs assisting at public health clinics, hospitals, public parks, providing teaching assistance and a whole lot more.