I’m interested in the following rule published recently by the Federal Corporation for National and Community Service:

(f) Civic engagement programs. A State, Indian Tribe, Territory or qualified organization may use funds to support service-learning civic engagement programs that promote a better understanding of:

(1) The principles of the Constitution, the heroes of United States history (including military history), and the meaning of the Pledge of Allegiance;

(2) How the Nation’s government functions; and

(3) The importance of service in the Nation’s character.

The Corporation has been bitterly criticized for allegedly brainwashing young people to be supporters of President Obama’s radical socialist agenda. But this rule couldn’t be much more conservative. It would be a balanced policy, in my view, if it supported education on “heroes” and “military history” and on social movements and concepts of justice; or if it stressed the “importance of service” and the importance of social reforms and governmental programs. But it is almost entirely in the rightward side.

I’m glad to see that Corporation funds will be used for civic education. I think that the projects supported under this provision may be valuable. I’m only supportive, however, because I am personally open to relatively conservative approaches to civics. From a political perspective, I think it’s noteworthy that the Obama Administration would publish such a conservative rule. The people who should be mad about the president’s service agenda are not conservatives, but liberals.