Somewhere in the Middle

What can one person do?

by Paula Canup

Understandably, many people hate politics and want nothing to do with it. They may also believe that one person can’t really make any difference. But I would like to offer ten suggestions for what you can do to help build a stronger America:

1.  Do your own thinking.  No matter how much you like Glen Beck or James Carville, 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. Listen to opposing points of view before making up your mind on any issue.

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. Research 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. 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. 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!