THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2001 — Since September 11, ordinary Americans have sought to contribute in some way to the US fight against terrorism. That impulse drew hundreds, if not thousands, of civilians to ground zero in the wake of the World Trade Center attacks. Since then, however, President George W. Bush has failed to draw upon that public sentiment — encouraging Americans only to return to our normal lives (a euphemism for going out and spending money) and to be alert to unusual activity (whatever that means).

Two senators have picked up the slack, however, and want to channel Americans’ desire to help into constructive activity. Senators Evan Bayh of Indiana, a Democrat, and John McCain of Arizona, a Republican, are co-sponsoring a bill to expand AmeriCorps, America’s national-service organization, and direct its volunteers into homeland-security duties, such as border patrol. "Americans again are eager for ways to serve at home and abroad," wrote McCain and Bayh in a November 6 New York Times op-ed piece.

These senators are on to something. During times like these, encouraging consumerism is not enough. Many people, young and old alike, need an outlet for their newfound patriotic feelings that goes beyond flag-waving and candle-lighting. But the Bush administration thus far has seemed oddly reluctant to channel the strong feelings felt by many citizens these days into the war effort.

Most inexplicable in recent weeks has been the behavior of the tepid group of generals at the Pentagon. When the attack first took place, news organizations were quick to publish stories comparing September 11 to December 7, Pearl Harbor Day. Military-enlistment offices reportedly were deluged with telephone calls. Later, it emerged that the people calling the offices were military veterans who had already served — including some old enough to have fought in World War II. Pentagon spokespeople quoted in these stories made no special effort to recruit anyone — in fact, they urged people not to enlist in response to the attack.

Why? Because the Pentagon and the Bush administration fear the American people. If they involve ordinary citizens too much in the war effort, they might bear the political price when the war goes off-track (as it all but certainly will at times). In Bush’s compartmentalized world, the public’s job is to spend money (especially his $300 tax cut), while military professionals do the fighting and private companies oversee airport security. In part, the Bush administration opposes stepping up national-service efforts because it would create a new class of government workers. Today, however, protecting Americans requires expanding government. What besides the government can represent the people in a time of war? Certainly not the corporate charities whose efforts to help World Trade Center victims have been so chaotic.

Readers, particularly those of a certain age, may wonder if the Bayh-McCain service bill means reinstatement of the draft. The answer is no. This legislation only makes it easier for people to volunteer. In fact, it actually makes the draft less likely, because an expanded AmeriCorps will fill jobs that otherwise might be performed by the National Guard. Let the military use the National Guard if necessary while volunteers pitch in at home. Remember also that the military brass has not even put out a call for volunteers; it has been all business-as-usual at the Pentagon despite the plane crash into the building’s western side that took more than 600 lives. When and if the Pentagon declares it needs more soldiers to help America fight for its survival, the people will be there for them. Right now, Bayh and McCain say volunteers are needed to serve at home. Bush should let them.