A CALL TO ACTION!
Apathy!
Why aren’t more people involved with politics or why are people satisfied to let others run their lives? I am hoping that with this missive some of you readers will suggest your own reasons for peoples apathy. Probably the first reason that I can think of and one that is the least pleasant to consider is that most people actually do not want to be responsible for their own lives. In other words, there is great appeal to having someone else make all of the decisions. That basically lets them off the hook. They do not have to stay informed and ultimately they aren’t responsible for the decisions of others even though these decisions have great personal effect on their lives. I also think many people feel powerless. That is, no matter what they do, they will not be able to cause things to change because the forces involved are too powerful. Another problem, as I see it, is that many people do not see how external events have any direct effect on their lives. Have you noticed that the greatest numbers of letters to the editor are about local issues? Things like mandatory recycling and dogs being allowed to use our public parks invariably cause the greatest number of people to write. Others are afraid to speak out because they may be ridiculed. One of the reasons that I have the greatest problem with is the belief that things have been ordained to turn out the way they do. That is that we are headed for the end times and that Armageddon is coming! That might be true, but how can you know what your role is? And what if great calamity could be avoided if enough people were to get involved.
Yet, I know from personal experience that other people, often who I very much disagreed with, usually by a casual comment made a big difference in my life. Often it took years for these words or deeds to take effect. I personally believe that I have a moral obligation to say my piece. I try an act from a place that my life will face an ultimate judgment. That is I operate with the belief that at the end of my life, I will be held accountable for all my thoughts, words and deeds. I have made many mistakes and surely will make many more. I have often been wrong. But I think it better to try than to just sit back and let others run my life. What motivates you?
Peace |