During 1997 the US Congress busied itself looking at public housing. They wanted to ensure those living in public housing worked for 8 hours a month for no pay. Those who refused to work in the communities could face repossession. In the US public housing is used, or was used often as a safety net for people, keeping them from homelessness if they were too poor to afford private rents or a mortgage.
Jesse Jackson Jnr, the Congressman talked about the aspect of the bill that was the reason why a majority of Democrats opposed it was the community service requirement, calling it a form of slavery (Democracy Now!).
Indeed it is. It could be argued there is nothing wrong with expecting citizens to contribute to the community, working and providing services where there is a need. However, this requirement was for only those living in government-built housing, because in the US that is viewed as a form of subsidy.
Would't it be nice to see all the companies, all the rich being treated in the same way for the subsidies they receive? How many jobs would companies have to create just to meet that requirement? I suspect it would bring an end to global unemployment in one fell swoop. Crowds would gather to watch company directors paint the lampposts, sweep the streets and pick up the autumn leaves.
The fact that no such law was every considered shows the words of Jesse Jackson Jnr have more than the sound of truth.
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