America’s Future Corps. Make Us Part Of The Infrastructure Project.

By Erica and Karen

We hear this is infrastructure week. Tomorrow President Biden will announce big infrastructure plans, focused on crumbling roads and bridges, water, broadband access, and the transmission grid. We were happy to see that he and Transportation Secretary Buttigieg teamed up to start the persuasion process. Because that is exactly the kind of team we think is needed. Someone older—and someone younger. Someone who knows the ropes, and someone who will benefit from learning the ropes.

We’ve had this big idea for years. Four years ago we even went to Washington to try to sell it. Seems to us an infrastructure program would be a good place to try it out. Especially now, when so many older people are leaving the workforce, endangering the recovery. Patriotism would entice them back.

Here’s our thinking:

In 2020 it was estimated that there were 73 million Baby Boomers in the United States. Baby Boomers constitute over twenty one per cent of the U.S. population, and we can be expected to live for at least another two decades. Ten thousand of us reach retirement age every day. Many of us are ending long careers, yet want to stay connected to the wider world in a purposeful way. We have lots of skills, and we are experienced problem solvers. We are assets waiting, and willing, to be deployed to help the next generations move forward. And we are inclined to public service. We came of age when “what you can do for your country” sparked our imaginations and our patriotism.

Close to four million teenagers are expected to graduate from high school this year. Many like the idea of a gap year after graduation, and many would benefit from a maturing year of mandatory service. They would learn that citizenship involves not just rights, but also responsibilities, that service to our country is incredibly fulfilling, and that we older folks actually know a thing to two.  General Stanley McChrystal agrees.

The big idea? Bring these two groups together to serve the country.

We propose the creation of a federal domestic program–America’s Future Corps–to channel the expertise of our retirees and the energy of our children—together. An intergenerational body that would call upon the extensive skills of our older citizens, together with the fresh ideas of our younger citizens, in service to our country, invoking our patriotism and our desire for purpose.

Our inspiration is the Peace Corps, which was established in 1961 by a very short executive order. A committed team was then tasked to bring its bold vision to life. The Peace Corps became a hugely successful force—for those who participated, for those who benefitted, and for the country. We know we can do it again, this time channeling our younger and older citizens to work together on infrastructure.

The mechanics? We’ll leave the details to the brilliant people, both older and younger, who are better at systems than we are, but here’s one concept: a federal database into which states or counties would enter their wants and needs; younger folks would enter their service preferences; and retirees would enter their skills, experience and location. Matches would be made. Federal incentives would inspire engagement. The Corps would brand its members as part of a vibrant national community, deployed locally, fueled by patriotism.   

Everyone has something to contribute. Younger people have energy, vision, and creativity. Retirees, whether carpenters or lawyers, health care workers or electricians, gardeners or administrators or doctors, computer programmers or janitors, have skills and experience that can be put to good use to rebuild our infrastructure and revive our economies. 

Everyone benefits. Retirees want to contribute, and will live happier lives, requiring fewer health services, if they stay connected. Younger people will learn—how to do things, and also about about life and civic virtue.

Why not, President Biden?