Letter: Mandate community service year

I agree with Adelphi University President Robert A. Scott's suggestion for a mandatory year of national community service, if his opinion isn't simply voiced as a university president looking to transfer all the burden of cost reduction from universities to students ["Rethink the Uncle Sam-college link," Opinion, Aug. 23].

I agree with Scott if his intentions are similar to that of 19th-century philosopher William James, that every new generation will have had instilled in them understanding and gratitude so that each person could provide valuable contributions to society. James said, in essence, that some men by birth or opportunity never see a day of work in their lives, while others never see a day of rest.

Instead of creating a mandatory military service -- the option in James' day -- the government should set up a mandatory community service for all youth for a year, doing all manner of building, maintenance and repairs, based on their interests, but that would benefit society. They would have made their contribution, gladly knowing their toil was only temporary but their mark was everlasting. They would become mature, proud, clearer thinkers and, thus, better parents and teachers for the next generation. Those of means would know what toil feels like.

Ellen Melo, North Massapequa