Idaho’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, which I wrote about last Thursday, is an excellent program for our youth but Barack Obama has an even better idea that reminds me of how I paid for my education.

Thirty-two years ago next month, I left my parent’s home and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. There were many reasons for joining but two stood out: I wanted to give back something to my country; and I needed money to go to college.

I am considered a Vietnam-era veteran though the war was long over before I joined. This meant I was eligible for the original G.I. Bill. Since I was married by the time I got out, I received over $400 a month for 48 months while attending college. The G.I. Bill helped to pay for my undergraduate and even some of my graduate school. I gave my country four years of service for the opportunity to receive an education.

Now, don’t confuse me with the brave men and women who are serving in Iraq. I spent my basic training in San Antonio and a summer learning my job in San Angelo, Texas. The Air Force, based upon aptitude tests, saw that I would do well as a Radio Communications Analysis Specialist.

What, I asked? My job was to analyze intercepted Morse, voice and teletype messages. If the message was important, my job was to send a message to the unit or agency that might need the information. That was pretty heady stuff for a wet-behind-the-ears kid like me.

I served for 18 months in a crappy little base in Southern Italy doing the job of three people at times. I returned to the states where I finished my enlistment, again in San Antonio, analyzing two-week old messages. I was never in physical danger, though I did run my moped into a truck in Greece, but that is another blog.

I was no hero; I just did my job. We worked crazy all-night shifts in buildings with no windows. We were not very “spit and polish.” It looked like we slept in our uniforms and shined our boots with chocolate bars but we never skimped when it came to the mission. My unit in Italy received the Freedom Through Vigilance Award as the best intercept station in the world while I was there. I am proud of the job that bunch of kids did to help protect our country at the height of the Cold War. I am a better man today due to my service in the Air Force.

Service to one’s society creates its own rewards though more should be provided. For our current service members, they deserve all of the medical, psychological and educational benefits any of them can use. It is the least we can do.

But, service by some may not be in the military. We have to provide these young people with an opportunity but we must ask something in return. I believe one never really gets much from something when it is received for free. We do much better when we earn what we get. I feel much prouder about myself that I earned my college money.

Obama has a plan called the American Opportunity Tax Credit that is worth $4,000 a year in exchange for 100 hours of public service a year. That is a lot easier than even my service but it will ensure our young people will earn their way. One should give back in return for what is received.

This is not an appeal for people to vote or support Obama. I do want people to start looking at reciprocal approaches to government assistance though.

Could this be expanded to other tax credits? How about requiring community service for every tax credit the government provides?

If your business gets an Investment Tax Credit, the business owner and/or CEO would have to do 100 hours of community service. If you get the Earned Income Tax Credit or a Child Credit or an Energy Credit, you would have to also provide community service for your assistance.

Service for assistance would be beneficial for everyone. I know it was beneficial for me.

Go Yotes.

Dr. Jasper M. LiCalzi
Professor and Chair
Department of Political Economy
The College of Idaho