Back in 1971, shortly after the initial election of DFL Governor Wendy Anderson, I went to his office with a proposal for a state project requiring a year of public service by young Minnesotans. It was not specific as to detail, and needed a lot of smoothing of the rough edges if it were to be seriously advanced.ÊI remember his chief administrator reacting that the idea had "a lot of pizazz," but it didn't get much further than that. The other priorities of government surfaced quickly, including major tax revision, and so far as I know the idea hasn't received much broad scale consideration in our state at any time since.

The thrust of the idea was to strongly encourage, if not coerce, everyone to make a significant contribution to the well-being of the society we're so lucky to be part of.

Naturally, anyone serving in the Armed Services would be exempted as already contributing more than their fair share, whether it be in the Federal military branches or our Minnesota National Guard. So also would be participants in the Peace Corps or Vista or current versions thereof.

I hope that the idea might advance again to the point of fruition as we move and are moved away from prime goals of materialism, whether by choice or just more limited circumstances.

As in the past, we now have a situation where a few give much, even their very lives or serious impairment, while many others give next to nothing over and above what is taxed or required.

We would all likely feel better about ourselves, and certainly, the less fortunate among us could well use and appreciate the work product of the participants.

Our area is still enjoying some of the public projects including roads, landings, dams, and even buildings that are still existent from CCC and WPA projects of the 1930s that benefited the public and workers as well.

A service program could include a chance for preparatory experience or an internship in the jobs or professions the participant envisions for their livelihood. Those interested in the building trades could do Habitat for Humanity type work.ÊAlmost every school could use more teacher aides, assistant coaches, hall monitors, computer tutors, lab and library assistants and the list goes on.ÊBuckley's reference to volunteer help in nursing homes could be expanded to many types of medical facilities and senior living facilities.

We are way short on day care for young parents who need to be absent from their home for work, school or respite.ÊÊWe have trouble keeping libraries, parks and recreation areas open, let alone properly maintained.

The possibilities are infinite.ÊJust as Devin Brooks recently took on a clean up project at the Pequot Cemetery, something that wasn't being done by anyone else, that sort of spruce up or clean up action could be multiplied for numerous public areas.

One possibility in financing such a program, is compensating participants with tuition credit or vouchersÊ at publicly funded universities or trade schools.

I think all discerning people can readily agree that there is a long list of unmet needs in our society.ÊI think it is just as obvious that for the next foreseeable years there simply is not going to be government money, nor existent charity capacity, to meet or pay for all of such needs.ÊA public service requirement whether it be at federal or state level, or combination thereof,Êwould in both long and short run make us a better society.

If our own Hubert Humphrey, President John Kennedy, Senator Sam Nunn and the very politically opposite William Buckley can strongly agree on the compelling efficacy of the concept, it has to merit consideration.ÊHopefully, those now in charge will find a place for it on near future agendas.