I honestly don’t know what bothers me more: reading story after story of perversion of the government in Washington, or struggling to come up with a way we can fix things. Exacting change in our government is tough, and most attempts are often frustratingly futile. The time for complacency, though, is over; it’s time we examine how we can make a difference. Come, join in the discussion; let’s get something going.

Before we can hope to speak intelligently on a subject, we owe it to ourselves to have a solid understanding of the situation, preferably from multiple angles. There is a wealth of neat books and other media materials out there – almost too much; my bookcase is filled with more unread books than I could ever hope to get through in the next 12 months. We can read about George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and the Revolutionary War, and the fight between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton over the size of the federal government. Most importantly, everyone should have a copy of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which costs no more than a few dollars at any bookstore.

A quicker and more exciting way to learn more is to discuss and debate politics, such as in our forums (though the information isn’t always right and should be double-checked). It’s a great way to get access to immediate information and to hear a wide range dissenting opinions on a host of topics. In discussion, we must always remember that other people have just as much conviction about their beliefs as we do about ours. No one can ever win a political fight; one can only hope to inspire thought in others (and themselves).

Once we have an understanding of our own beliefs, things start to get tricky. Some people protest on the street, which more often than not merely serves to polarize people, not unite them. How often do you drive by picketers and roll your eyes? Additionally, there’s little point protesting Washington’s behavior on a street corner in Iowa. We also used to write our congresspersons, but many have made it clear that they’re not listening. Some people blog, but many such sites are inflammatory and, again, polarizing. We could responsibly cast our votes, but there are not enough educated voters and even fewer qualified candidates.

So what can we really do to make a difference? Start a political society. Start it in your area and use it to build a sense of community, involving people of all political beliefs, not just your own. Your local Democratic or Republican party can’t serve that interest; they are too busy serving their own interests and fighting the other party to really care about you or the opinions of others. Get together once a week to debate current political topics, discuss assigned reading material, and to organize politics in your area. Find a candidate in your locality who you can trust and work together to get him or her elected to your city or state government. Keep expanding the group and help get the right candidate elected to the US Congress. No matter what you do, focus on the Constitution and on making this country a welcome home for every person, not just the party in power and the special interests who support them.

America has a great tradition of harboring active political societies. Sadly, this tradition has been in severe decline with the rise of the opposition-crushing Democratic and Republican parties. In the meantime, however, those parties have become so very out of touch with the average American, who often has no desire to game the system or lie to their friends or make life miserable for those who don’t share their opinions. Each and every one of us bears the responsibility of keeping our great nation afloat. You may not generally agree with her, but you can definitely agree with Hillary Rodham Clinton when she said, “[t]he challenges of change are always hard. It is important that we begin to unpack those challenges that confront this nation and realize that we each have a role that requires us to change and become more responsible for shaping our own future.”

Today’s call to action: Tomorrow is Thanksgiving; express your thanks to your coworkers and employees. Let them know that their work is in great part responsible for your success. We’ll talk more about political societies next week.

To all members of our armed services, past or present:

Thank you for your sacrifice.

On this Veterans’ Day, the day after the 234th birthday of the United States Marine Corps, we honor those who have willingly given their time, personal lives, and even their last breaths in service to our country. Americans have a long and proud history of standing up and fighting for what’s right regardless the cost, a tradition older than our nation itself.

Our soldiers in the Revolutionary War pressed on with no incentive other than freedom. Soldiers in the Continental army were paid with worthless Continental dollars, often received just flour and water for meals, frequently slept on a blanket under the open sky in the rain, and many not only had no shoes but often had no socks, leaving a bloody trail behind as the icy winter ground cut open their feet.

When I visited the American cemetery at Coleville, France, my heart was stopped. On a bright, sunny day, the cemetery overlooked a jeweled grey-blue sea. A gentle breeze lifted the American flags, and there was peace. There was silence. The guns which roared over the beaches were long gone, the miles of terrible barbed wire and engineering impediments since removed. As I knelt by the white crosses, the knowledge that these men and women did not return to their mothers, fathers, husbands, wives, and children rushed over me. Tears filled my eyes as images of conflicts past mixed with those of my family and my friends currently in the service.

Today, we continue to battle against those who seek not only to disrupt our American way of life but radically change it altogether. We carry on as we have for hundreds of years that we may leave this world a little better for our children.

These men and women didn’t sign up with dreams of winning medals or awards. They did so in pursuit of the betterment of themselves and their country. And in this duty, 1.3 million Americans have given their lives for what they believe. We cannot thank these great men and women enough.

Today’s call to action: Write to or call a friend who has served or is currently serving, saying thanks for his or her commitment.

The fires which forged our nation are still burning, stoked by the bravery of American men and women. Yesterday, the newly-built USS New York, set to be commissioned Saturday, sailed the Hudson River, firing a 21-gun salute at Ground Zero [1]. The new 25,000-plus ton amphibious-warfare ship, built in Louisiana, is constructed with 7.5 tons of steel from the World Trade Center [2].

The resolute determination of the American people to keep fighting for what’s right still exists. And though it has lain somewhat dormant as their protests fall on the deaf ears of the federal government, the will to fight is still there. The momentum is building. People are voicing their discontent with the status quo and today are expressing their desire for pragmatism and accountability among our leaders in the polls.

The construction of the new vessel signals that we won’t forget what we’ve sacrificed in order to retain our rights. If we are to take back our rights, we must act and act soon. A torch is being carried forward – will you pursue it?

Today’s call to action: Think about a cause you’ve been meaning to take up recently. What can you do to take the first step toward action?

1. “USS New York Arrives in ‘Hometown,’” Wall Street Journal, November 2, 2009.
2. Reiss, Adam. “New Navy Ship Honors 9/11 Victims,” Cable News Network, November 2, 2009.

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