My AmeriCorps Lifelong Service Story (abbreviated)

What started off as a cool part time job my senior year of high school changed my priorities to move beyond my own self-interest and give back during and after college. Upon graduation I joined NCCC and what was initially a one year of service became 7 years and counting.

Since my first year of service I have engaged in a long term meaningful way with 14 different service organizations and participated in dozens of one day service projects (including one with my wedding guests following the wedding ceremony in 2012). My life is focused on community service professionally and personally. I cannot envision a future that I am not serving.

 http://twenty.americorpsalums.org/#share

cap campaigns increase opportunities

In a perfect world where this would work, it would be wonderful.

2011-2012 Election Fundraising for Presidential and congressional totaled at: $1,660,423,787

That number is 6 million higher than the operating budget for AmeriCorps.

If we could cap the amount spent on election campaigns at half of what it currently is and took that money we could increase the AmeriCorps budget by 50% providing more american with an opportunity to serve their community, gain job experience, temporarily reduce un-employment and support our infrastructure, both physically and in the human services.

Additionally we would open the doors to the not as rich, not embedded into their party to have a chance at winning a seat in "our" government. At the current rate it costs over $40,000 to run for a seat in the house, over $1million for a seat in the senate and over $29 million to run for president.

http://www.opensecrets.org/overview/index.php
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BUDGET-2012-BUD/pdf/BUDGET-2012-BUD-28.pdf