If it is a requirement, presumably at the consequence of some sort of punishment, I'm not how you can see it as anything else.
I'm just not that keen on the government "whipping"'any ideology into people, whether I happen to agree with it or not b
I agree with that. Governments should stay clear of ideology, and focus on managing the day-to-day functioning of society. This is part of the problem, too many politicians and voters think that politicians should be offering a 'vision of the future to the people'.
I'm quite capable of dreaming my own visions, and taking responsibility for my dreams and goals.
If some poor sap sitting in front of the TV needs some power hungry daddies-boy to tell him what his dreams are, I don't want any part of it.
The US constitution guarantees my right to the pursuit of happiness, that's the end of the governments role in my dream, thank you very much.