In his Tuesday column, [A Human Capital Agenda for Times subscribers] David Brooks argues that the Republican candidates for president should lay out a bold plan for the nation (similar to President Bush's 1999 call for compassionate conservatism). Though I cannot say I agree with much of Brooks's politics, I do agree with his inclusion of national service as one of the elements of his proposed human capital agenda. He notes:

It [the human capital agenda] means increasing child tax credits to reduce economic stress on young families. It means encouraging marriage, the best educational institution we have. It means a national service program, so young people can experience the world.