One of my strongest remembrances of John F. Kennedy was the quote, "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country. I always felt that he meant being a citizen of the United States was a two way obligation, that for our republic to function well, it's citizens should take an active part in the running of our government.
This involves learning about how our government functions, writing letters and contacting congress people with your views, and reading and learning about the major issues. This means not only the federal government, but the city and state governments as well.
To do this, one must read articles from the conservative through the liberal points of view, follow debates, listen to and discuss the issues with their fellow man, and make up their mind in such a way that their decision is based on fact, not on emotion or apathy.
This requires that education becomes one of the very highest priorities and remains so throughout a persons life. From the beginning of early life school until the day of death one should pursue his education. However, education is of little value unless he or she uses it in the pursuit of good sound judgment. That or common sense as others might call it, is when properly developed, the distillation and culmination of everything that a person has learned throughout their lifetime.
Strangely, a great education does not always come from formal schooling. Many great minds have had very little formal education. They learned from the streets, their own mistakes, and or their parents. Their judgment is often as good or better than those of us who are more privileged for their opinions come from the practical side of life rather than the theoretical.
Today, the politicians promise us everything. They will make our life comfortable and no matter what happens will cushion our fall. To the casual observer, that is a wonderful thing for our worries transfer from ourselves to our government.
So the question is, is anything taken away?
I am sure that they are well meaning but you must ask yourself these questions when you receive these handouts. Am I giving away my self reliance? Have I lost some of my self respect? Did they take away some of my ambition? What example am I to my children and what is this teaching them? Have I compromised my judgment?
Our constitution is based on ethical behavior. It allows and encourages the individual to excel and develop his being to the fullest. In return, it asks for behavior that is according to its laws. That is the job of every person who lives in this great land. It means that one must obey the laws but can work for change if something is unjust. It means that we have been given certain rights but we must protect them. It means that we have a fundamental document that gives enormous freedom to all of us. However in return we have the obligation to protect and care for every word in that wonderful gift.
What can I do for my Country - Mike's Photo and Thoughts Website
