My country is in danger. Illegal aliens are invading our land. Terrorists are stalking us. Corruption is invading our government. The Socialists have already taken Asheville. Now they are eyeing Buncombe County and making great inroads all over the nation. These terrify me, but nothing strikes fear in me so much as the apathy which has invaded the hearts of our citizens.
Apathy is defined by Webster as a lack of emotion, a lack of interest, indifference. Are we so blessed in this country that we have become spoiled by the very blessing itself? Are we so used to the abundance afforded by freedom and self determination that we have begun to lose interest in the original gift much like a child with too many toys?
America is a great nation founded upon amazing principles which have been handed down to us throughout the course of our history. Those principles are a gift to be cherished and protected by the citizens. Our history bulges with examples of citizens who have taken that responsibility seriously, often to the point of giving their lives to uphold the principles of this nation. Why then do so many citizens sit by and passively watch as America falls?
Are those of you who do nothing to protect her convinced that America is invincible? If that is your rationale, get your head out of the sand right now because you are leaving your posterior in a very vulnerable position. Sadly, even this great land can and will go down without proper care. It takes constant vigilance to maintain America’s gifts of freedom and self determination.
Do you stand by passively because you believe that there is no hope and our country is doomed? Thank God that our forefathers had more fight in them than that! They had the courage to risk absolutely everything to give us a remarkable system of government which recognizes our right to be free and to determine the course of our own lives. And when they did it, it had never before been done. They did the really hard work for us. Now all we have to do is keep it.
Are you waiting for someone else to fix it? Have you thought about the consequences if no one steps up to the plate? Are you ready to accept the responsibility if our nation falls while you stand by doing nothing? Can you live with yourself if you let her fall without even trying to prevent it? I know that I cannot.
There are many excuses for not getting involved. You work full time. Your health is bad. You coach the team. You ferry the kids to and fro. Most people have responsibilities which limit their participation in some way, but personal responsibilities do not relieve you of the responsibility of being a good citizen. We all must make it a priority to take care of our country while we still have it to protect.
There are more excuses. You wouldn’t know what to do. You don’t have the necessary skills. Somebody else could do it much better than you. Don’t ever forget that one committed and determined person who is out there trying is infinitely more valuable than ten highly skilled people sitting at home watching television.
How would a formerly apathetic citizen get involved if the spirit so moved him? Just start by doing SOMETHING rather than nothing.
- Inform yourself about the issues. Don’t rely on network TV and the local daily paper to tell you what you need to know. Look at a variety of sources for information.
- Make phone calls. Tell your elected officials your opinion about important issues. Call talk radio to express your opinion.
- Write letters. Write to the various newspapers. Write your elected officials.
- Show up and speak up. Go to public meetings such as City Council and County Commissioner meetings to see first hand what your elected officials are doing. Tell them what you think.
- Work together. Join a group of like minded citizens who are trying to save our nation. [Consider the BCGOP Action Club. We meet the third Thursday of every month at Ryan’s on Patton Avenue. We eat at 6 pm. The meeting starts at 6:30 pm. Party affiliation is not our primary concern. If you really want to make a difference, this is the place to be.]
- Talk to people. Encourage others to get involved. Inform them about the issues.
- Vote. Do your homework first. Don’t base your decisions upon sound bites and a pretty face. Make your decisions based upon the issues.
I have to believe that there is hope, that the citizens of America will rally for the cause when the survival of our nation is at stake. If we stand shoulder to shoulder in defiance, we can take back our nation. How close do you plan to let the enemy get before YOU take a stand? They are at your doorstep now.