# US caste system **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 16, 2012, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676 "2012-01-16T07:23:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676/61 "2012-01-20T13:46:57Z")
> [@Duke](#): > > How does “1 point for each additional term in the military” not turn the nation into a militaristic society? Looking at my own place in this misguided “caste”, I have a doctorate, 1,000 hours of volunteer work (hope my volunteer consultancy counts), no criminal record, never had public assistance or filed bankruptcy, have a child, no child support payments, etc. etc. and I _still_ only got an 18. Pretty much the only way for anyone to get a 20, and for a lot of people the only way to go up in caste, is to spend significant time in the military, as in dozens of years…which would be a horrible drain on the nation’s economy, because you’d have to figure out some way to pay those millions of people who signed up just to try to move up. Considering the whole point of this game was to “benefit society”, it seems illogical to then turn around and drain society by inflating the military to huge personnel levels. > > Of course, this is a terrible, terrible idea for a lot of other reasons, but that one struck me as the most counterlogical. > > Also, [this (sound file)](http://www.theonion.com/audio/us-to-offer-platinumplus-citizenship,17537/). Remember, service guarantees citizenship! ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676/62 "2012-01-20T13:52:26Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > Remember, service guarantees citizenship! It’s an ugly world. It’s a caste world. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676/63 "2012-01-20T14:46:09Z")
I wouldn’t mind a system that rewards those who play by the rules, work hard, and stay out of trouble, but I’m uncomfortable with pretty much every aspect of they system as proposed by the OP. I would rather propose something like a rewards program credit cards or business use. Maybe something like: Citizen: What everyone is currently, who is not incarcerated. Your rights, taxes, etc all remain as is. Citizen + : Requirements: Has a bachelor’s degree or higher, OR has served in the military, or equivalent civilian community service, AND has not utilized public assistance in the last five years. Has not been arressted in the last five years. Rewards: Reduced costs for basic governmental services like passports, fishing and hunting permits, preferential/ streamlined treatment in paperwork, Reduced sentencing for first-time, non-violent offenses. One free traffic infraction a year. Citizen Silver : Requirements: Meets requirements for citizen + AND: Has a terminal degree in their field, OR has not utilized public assistance in the last ten years. Has not filed for bankruptcy in the last ten years. Has not been arrested in the last ten years. Rewards: One time Waived fees for governmental services, reduced rate from citizen + for the same. Free recreational permits, free concealed carry permit (provided they pass course), One time forgiveness for nonviolent, non whitecollar crime (things like a drug infraction, dui without accident) 2 free traffic violations a year, extra half vote in federal elections. Responsibilities: Silver level citizens are considered to be persons of trust, and thus their perks come with some additional conditions: Silver level citizens who choose to use their perks are subject to harsher sentencing for white-collar crimes upon conviction. If they lose their status through criminal conviction they may not regain their perks for ten years. Citizen Gold: Requirements: All of silver level and: Employs at least three others at federal minimum wage through a business that provides service or goods to the public, OR Has never utilized public assistance or has not utilized it in 20 years, has never filed for bankruptcy, Has never been arrested for any charge. Rewards: Free governmental services and recreational permits. Reduced cost for business permitting and preferential services in paperwork. Automatic passports, preferential treatment at embassies while traveling. 2% reduction in income tax rate. Full extra vote in federal elections. Same legal perks as silver. Responsibilities: Gold level citizens are considered to be persons of trust and financial responsibility. Gold level perks are rewards for a life lived in compliance with the law while being financially responsible or helping to provide jobs to others. Should they choose to use their perks, they are subject to mandatory maximum sentencing in white-collar crimes. They are also exempt from forgiveness policies regarding their taxes. Gold level citizens are expected to file accurately as they have the means and education to do so. Once arrested, or having filed for bankruptcy gold level citizens may not regain this status. ---
**Author:** ![Grestarian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grestarian/32/3227_2.png) [@Grestarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grestarian)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676/64 "2012-01-20T20:30:58Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Yeah, dude – you’re system is biased against the poor, the disabled, and unlucky. Hmmm…in other words it’s no different than the current systems in the USA? —G! _Business as usual How dirty we play Business as usual Don’t you get in the way Yeah, make you feel helpless Make you feel like a clown Business as usual Is breakin’ me down_ . --Don Henley (The Eagles) . _Business As Usual_ . Long Road Out of Eden [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/us-caste-system/609676.md?page=3)