What Can One Person Do?

Most of us have become so jaded by the propaganda dispensed from Washington, we no longer trust our leaders to tell it to us straight, or do what they say they will do. We hear so many versions of the “truth” we don’t know what to believe anymore. It’s tempting to wash our hands of it all, leaving it to the professional politicians to do what they will, for good or for ill. After all, we have busy lives. We elected these people to run the country for us so we could go about our daily business. Besides, one person can’t really make any difference, can he?

But we can’t avoid the consequences of our leaders’ actions. If they run our economy into the ground, you and I will suffer. So what can we do? I have ten suggestions:

1. Do your own thinking. No matter how much you like Glen Beck or James Carvell, don’t become a disciple of any mere mortal. Neither Hannity nor Colmes has cornered the market on truth. I may like some of the things Rush says, but I would consider it a condescending insult to be called one of his “ditto heads.” Don’t blindly follow any one political party; maintain your independence.

2. Educate yourself. Read widely from quality books, magazines, and newspapers rather than relying on biased TV and radio talk shows for all your information. Learn how government works. Study the basics of economics.

3. Do some fact-checking. Go to the source when you can. There are good web sites like FactCheck.org that analyze the words of politicians to see if they are true or false. Do some research on the issues. With the Internet at our fingertips, there is no excuse for ignorance.

4. Acknowledge your own biases and entertain the notion that you just might be wrong about some things. Truly listen to opposing arguments and be willing to change your mind if the evidence suggests that you should.

5. As a teacher, I used to tell my students that the truth is often in the middle. Be wary of extremists on either side. They are usually far more concerned with proving themselves right and their opponents wrong than they are with discovering the truth.

6. Don’t demonize those with whom you disagree. If we all stay entrenched in enemy camps, taking potshots at each other, nothing will ever be accomplished. There are good people who are conservatives. There are good people who are liberals. They just have different ideas of how our government should operate. Right or wrong, they are sincere in their beliefs. Most Americans truly love their country and want what is best for it. Can’t we meet on that common ground and start talking to each other in a civil manner?

7. Make yourself heard. You can write and call your representatives; it does make a difference. They listen to the constituents who care enough to pick up the phone and call to express their opinions. Write letters to the editor of your local paper. Attend meetings where issues will be discussed.

8. If you have children, talk to them about world and national events. Watch and discuss the news with them. Help them become involved citizens who care about the world beyond their personal lives.

9. Volunteer in your community to bring about changes you want to see. Be the difference. If you are so inclined, run for office or support someone else who espouses your views.

10. It should go without saying, but VOTE.

Maybe one person is limited in what he can do, but if a whole lot of us started doing these ten things, it WOULD make a difference!