Most of us know the story of the Little Red Hen and her loaf of bread. For those of you who don’t, it goes something like this: LIttle Red had some wheat seeds and decided to grow some wheat and make some bread. All along the path to her goal, she sought to enlist the help of her many barnyard friends, but they were always too busy to help out. When she finally pulled the bread out of the oven, everyone who hadn’t wanted to help grow, reap, sow, grind, and make the bread were standing in line waiting for their slice of steaming hot bread. Her response was this: Whoever helped me can eat some bread. The message here is that you can’t expect to get something for nothing. But those who work together for a common goal will always share in the rewards.

If the first step in reclaiming and redirecting our government is the abandonment of the political parties in favor of independent, public-service oriented leadership, then the second step is in recognizing our shared responsibility for assuring that democracy thrives and creates a better world for all of us. As Americans, we so often take for granted the freedoms we were born with. Having no other perspective from which to compare, we have become a people of entitlement, in spite of better intentions. In our haste to stretch the ever-increasing definition of “freedom,” we have succeeded only in convincing ourselves that personal satisfaction is the ultimate good. We are so far removed from the generations that preceded us; from the literal battles they fought to secure the rights we are granted at birth, that we no longer appreciate what freedom and democracy really are.

This brings us back to the story of the Little Red Hen. Our situation is a bit different, but the messages are the same. In our story, the seed is our trust and our tax dollars, The Red Hen is the government, we are all the barnyard animals, and the bread is democracy. In essence, we give our money to the government and then watch them go through the motions of spending that money without giving direction, demanding accountability, or getting involved, then line up at the capitol steps asking for more and more services than they have money left to pay for. The bread falls on the floor and only the fastest hands can grab the crumbs.

It is time we started re-earning our freedom. I propose a public service requirement for all American citizens. Just having the good fortune to be born in the United States should not grant you carte blanche to America’s freedoms and fortunes. All citizens, whether natural born or legal immigrants, should be required to give back to the country. Voting is not enough. Paying taxes is not enough. Our country has a host of problems that could be solved simply by putting people on the tasks. Such tasks could significantly diminish the load borne by government, saving millions in tax dollars. Mandatory public service would rebuild the sense of community and restore pride in our land by building community partnerships and reintroducing neighbors. Mandatory public service programs should also be applied to businesses, because they benefit as much from our way of life and freedoms as much as anyone.

I realize that this must sound like an extremely radical idea to a generation or two who have been raised on the “me first” principal. To some, this may even sound like conscription or socialism in disguise. But who among us wouldn’t benefit from a cleaner environment, safer neighborhoods, stronger schools, and friendlier people? And who better to care for the needs of a community than the people who live in it? By working together to better or towns, we would also gain a sense of camaraderie, pulling us closer together, reducing petty crime by raising the quality of our lives. In addition to rebuilding a connection between the people and their community, a mandatory public service program would give needed relief to our local, state, and national governments. Millions of tax dollars could be better spent if we as citizens took up the more mundane tasks we burden our governments with. Who could disagree that our tax dollars would be better spent defending our borders than collecting trash on the side of the road?

On an individual level, there are so many tasks that could be undertaken. From community litter patrols, to neighborhood renovations, to school repair, to tutoring…the list of community service tasks is endless. Businesses would play their part by donating funds, materials, and expertise to the projects. Government would only be involved as a coordinating entity, monitoring tasks and recording service time. Oh yes, there has to be oversight, because as I mentioned, this is a mandatory program. In order to benefit from the good in our society, you must earn it. Freedom isn’t free after all.

I propose three basic levels of service: local, state, and national. Each member of society would be required to perform public service at all three levels at some point throughout their lives. The only people exempt from public service requirements would be those physically and mentally unable to do so. The burden to excuse should be very stringent, because most people can do something. Local public service should focus on community programs like neighborhood beautification, litter patrol, and other public works. State public service could come in the form of building projects, public administration assistance, or safety patrols. National public service could be served in a variety of ways, from natural conservation projects or more specialized areas like scientific advancement. The details of the tasks could be worked out as we go; there are enough small things to start with.

Aside from basic government care programs (discussed later), a public service record would be required before you could receive government assistance or support. A nationwide database could be utilized to record your public service and again accessed when you apply for aid. And for those not in need of financial assistance? (For no one who does not need them should receive public monies.) Their public service record could be tied to other non-financial rewards. Businesses, through their public donation records could benefit through tax relief. At the same time, individuals and businesses not fulfilling their service requirements would be unable to receive government money or contracts or tax breaks.

A national public service program is good common sense on so many levels. First, is instills the knowledge that freedom isn’t free, that you have to earn your right to freedom and democracy by being involved with your world. Second, it saves countless tax dollars by putting responsibility back into the hands of the people. Third, it rejuvenates the spirit of community, something this country is dearly missing. Fourth, it provides a sense of pride for those who currently take without giving by allowing them to give and a sense of humility for those who will be giving without needing to take. Finally, it allows all of us, rich or poor, business or individual, to have a tangible stake in the outcome of our world, however big or small it may be. And by having a tangible stake, we will be more likely to keep on top of our elected leaders, more likely to vote, more likely to stand up against crime, more aware of our similarities and more tolerant of our differences.

Those who deplore such a plan won’t tell you in real terms why such a scheme couldn’t ever work. They’ll couch it in phrases like “social manipulation,” “government intervention,” “anti-family,” or other such nonsense. They will try to scare you into thinking that businesses will all close because we’re all out doing good deeds. They’ll warn of mass lay-offs, recession, and financial doom due to fewer government contracts. They’ll mourn the decline in quality family time and blame it on weekend litter patrol. They’ll come up with any excuse to make you hate this idea. And such condemnation will come from “liberals” and “conservatives” alike. They will do this because they are afraid that it would work. They are afraid that we would realize that our over-bloated government could be trimmed back. They are afraid that they will lose power and control over our lives by not controlling all our public works. They are right. But that is not a bad thing. The heavy hands of greed have held us down for long enough. It is time to take back what is ours. With a little sweat and common sense, we’ll earn back our freedom.

The price of freedom is involvement, action, conviction, and sacrifice. The price of freedom is not that great compared to the promise of tyranny that accompanies apathy, selfishness, and greed.