I've seen the reports on it, but I don't watch any of that crap. I've seen commercials on it, I think it is an insult to be told to "volunteer".

You know what...............they should make paying taxes voluntary.

I've been voluntering at a nursing home for years. Don't need them to tell me. Pure crap.

Many years ago before the government became nanny state and tort attorneys ruled people volunteered to help one another ..... and the help was appreciated. People might do more if the threat of lawsuits from every angle weren't hanging over their heads. Remedy that situation and watch VOLUNTEER-voluntarism flourish again.

This is not only ludicrous, it's sad. I can't believe that people are actually complaining that we're being encouraged to reach out to others in need. Shame on you.

It's really obvious what all this whining is about and I'm embarrassed for of all of you. George Bush started the Points of Light and Bill Clinton started Americorps.   So suddenly to be kind to others is fascism, socialism or whatever the ism of the day is.    At least admit it - it's your hatred that drives this silliness. Emily, the government isn't forcing anyone to volunteer.   As Bill Clinton (someone you wrote you admired many times) said earlier this year, "We have seen a remarkable resurgence of public spirit by young people in their involvement in presidential campaigns, in voting in record numbers, and also in service activities on their campuses, their communities, and all across the globe."

I guess you think that's a bad thing, huh? Again, so ridiculous I don't know why I'm commenting.   OMG - he's telling children to study hard and stay in school! OMG - he's asking Americans to reach out to others in need! Next you'll be complaining when Obama speaks out against child abuse because he's telling parents how to raise their kids.

@jxp: I wrote nothing above complaining about or even mentioning Obama, either Bush, or Clinton; nor did anyone else, before *your* comment. If you're going to comment in a blog, stick to the topic being discussed. *My* issue is not with the act of volunteering. It is with the not-so-subtle act of a coordinated effort to program the public by slipping the message in all places. The question arises, "What other ideas have been slipped in over the years?" I know phrases like "world order" and "global governance" come out of the mouths of heads of state much more frequently now, so there is precedent. Oh, and I remember this *wonderful* idea promoted during the 90s called "free trade" that was going to "bring costs down" for everyone. No mention of it bringing employment down, too. How's that been working for everyone?

With regard to the Bushs or Clintons, I haven't exactly had the highest praise for their idiotic policies, either. I've got past blog entries to support (or be used against) me on that, so what is "really obvious" to you is not based on my past writings. Perhaps you're in the wrong blog?

As an aside, there would be alot less "need" if there hadn't been so many "programs" put in place over the last several generations. How's Johnson's 'War on Poverty' thing going? Looks like Poverty is winning. People could afford to "reach out" much more if they didn't have the gov't hand reaching so far *into* their pockets, exporting their industries, and destroying their currency.

There is nothing wrong in encouraging people to volunteer, no matter where it comes from. It's okay children, you can be the president. I worked in non-profit and we couldn't survive without volunteers. We had a party for the volunteers every year in appreciation. Those people were very dedicated. Sometimes they were there when I was not.

My kids volunteered right along with me. It gave them a sense of community and built character and when they became teenagers it was nothing for them to run a Coke booth at a festival for communtiy service hours for school, play jacks, or read a story to children at a community center.

Would I have volunteered without it being a part of my job. Probably not. I had only volunteered with the church for something special. Volunteerism is very much needed regardless of who encourages it. Volunteer for children. They need us. Especially the little ones. They can't help who their parents are. Start with your own children. Volunteer in their classroom. Make some brownies or something.

Elementary age kids love it when their parents volunteer at their school and in their classroom. Go on a field trip with them or become a classroom mother. It's fun.

As long as you are not goofy or anything and the other kids love you, it makes your child feel special and they will actually do better in school. Stop cutting down "volunteering" just because Obama is encouraging it and people are embracing it.

Eat a good breakfast, take your vitamins, drink plenty of water, wash your hands often, and say your prayers little children. And stop complaining about everything Obama does. Good grief.

There they go again, assuming and lecturing on what we should do and how we should do it.   Mind your own business. MMMMM, MMMMM, MMMMM.

I don't watch sitcoms or read the comics but I do study propaganda. I can tell you the shirts are RED RED RED if you get my drift. See for yourself in this new important film, free to watch in high quality on YouTube. It's called FALL OF THE REPUBLIC: THE PRESIDENCY OF BARACK OBAMA by Alex Jones. Here's the link:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheAlexJonesChannel

There's that song again Jarasan, lol. Kinda sticks in your mind like the shower scene in Psycho.