I understand Chris Dodd's sentiment here (source) :

"All Americans should serve our country," the Connecticut senator said in remarks prepared for delivery Saturday. "Endowed as we are with so many gifts, is it too much to ask that we each give something back to this remarkable place?"

but serving your country can simply mean "being a positive part of your community" too.

During the past 10 years, I've probably become too cynical but the term public servant doesn't seem to mean much any more because it's far too easy to see the revolving door and corruption which has given Congress its low approval ratings.

Like many Americans, I believe that our politicians should model what they preach first and then impose their whims on the rest of us after that...

So Yes, Senator Dodd, you're asking too much since when our children work, they should earn a good days pay, not a pittance and a pat on the head, because economic equality comes before charity!