Time to be Active Citizens
by Nat Hentoff
In years to come, no matter who’s President, if America is to remain a self-governing republic, more of us have to be directly engaged in civic life. For example, by working with neighbors to improve and strengthen our communities. But preoccupied by the sorry state of the economy and fear of terrorism that has lingered since 9/11, too many Americans have shirked their responsibility to be active citizens. It’s a shortcoming that must be remedied.
How many of you have heard of the Corporation for National & Community Service or the National Conference on Citizenship? I’m supposed to be a nut on civics but wasn’t aware of those organizations until I read about their disturbing report “Civic Life in America: Key Findings on the Civic Health of the Nation” in a recent Judges’ Journal article by Jason L. S. Raia. He’s vice-president of education at Freedoms Foundation and also serves as Pennsylvania State Coordinator for We The People and Project Citizen.
According to “Civic Life in America,” less than 20% of Americans—aside from voting in elections—participate “in political activities” all the rest of the time. What especially depresses me is that just 3.1% participate “in a protest or demonstration.” Bush, Cheney and Obama have given us so much to protest.
I’ve often asked where the hell are the organized demonstrations in the streets and anywhere else that the Founders expected when they made a point of adding to First Amendment rights “the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
More from “Civic Life in America”: “Nearly 60% of suburban and rural residents voted in 2008, while only 53% of urban residents voted.” (I expect those percentages were somewhat higher in the 2010 elections but sank back in 2012.) More surprising to me—considering myself, a lifelong city-dweller, to be hipper than those inhabiting the quiet areas of the country— is this finding: “Rural residents were also more likely to overcome the distance and join [political groups] than urban residents were.” Trying to explain these declines in engaged, participatory civic life, the report’s reasons include: “With stagnation in wages, more people are working longer hours and second or even third jobs to make ends meet, leaving little time for civics engagement.”
“Civic Life in America” makes a useful point that legislatures can do something to increase citizens’ involvement in the electoral process: “The fact that we still vote on a workday instead of Sunday, like many industrialized democracies around the world, makes voting inconvenient and, for some, nearly impossible.”
Ah, finally, the report gets back to a crucial distinction between many voters and non-voters: “More education equates to more likely civics behaviors that benefit our democracy. More than 73% of those who have received a bachelor’s degree voted in 2008 compared to 31% of those who did not complete high school.”
There’s another significant gap in the “Civic Life in America” report: “52% [of the educated] compared to 17% [without a degree] participated in organizations; 42% compared to 9% volunteered and participated in non-electoral political activities, and 14% compared to just 3% worked with a neighbor to fix a community problem.”
Jason L. S. Raia’s valuable article ends too gently: “Further research might discover whether those who demonstrate greater civics engagement are the product of more intensive civics learning in school.”
How could they not? Therefore, it’s imperative that school-board members and principals— some of whom may have flunked a civics class, if indeed such a course was ever offered—uphold a quintessential responsibility of educators. As Supreme Court Justice William Brennan personally told me, to make the Constitution part of the very lives of all students of whatever age. Otherwise, if many more Americans neglect to engage in civic life, the Fourth of July will be commemorated only by a few sadly appreciative citizens mourning the authors of our nation’s most cherished document.
——————-
Nat Hentoff is a historian of the Constitution, a jazz critic and a columnist for the Village Voice and Free Inquiry. His incisive books include The First Freedom: The Tumultuous History of Free Speech in America and Living the Bill of Rights .
January 2nd, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Thank you, important info.. The public lacks drive & commitment. Distraction is a fungus growing on everyone. Tv, media, music, cell phones & all based on electronic (electro smog) I am interested in deep research into Dopamine. I feel this brain chemical is what Life is all about & Society would do well to learn about it & actively work at increasing it’s Natural abundance for positive brain work. As children become less & less engaged physicly & mentaly Dopamine wains, shrinks & is reduced. Plus natural B-Vitamins are in short supply, like from Lysithin granules or Brewers Yeast..Trully I tell you Dopamine increase MUST be a number one practice in every House hold & knowledge on what supresses & impaires Dopamine Brain production..As well as other Healthy Brain Chemicals. I have reported here that Massage therapy increases the release of Dopamine, Saratonin & Oxytocin (the hugging Hormone) I further wish I could produce Massage DVD at Hustler inc. With stressed out Soldiers & every one else, some with Happy Endings, thanks Kevin for that term.A radical Push & understanding for & of Dopamine must be inthusiasticly thrust upon society.. It is the Film chemical, that adds color to all that Life can be & pursued for Happy inthusiastic goals & Holistic Balance. Amen
January 2nd, 2013 at 4:04 pm
Discustingly translucent. Every one likes a Magic pill. A free pass that does the work/job for us. Like water that carries the shit away in the toilet. Water is a tool & we pay for it.. Paying for things gets our respect & knowledge acceptance it is good/needed! Citizens engaged in society is a MUST, like toilet water… If the public needs motivation & drive, it MUST do so from within, as a choice & action. We are disconnected by choice & bickerring, no focus! Thus I eluded to the brain Chemical Dopamine, both lacking & abused thru aggrivated Gambling & other self stimulus addiction for Brain chemical reward, endorphins.. My current search revealed a HERB called Rhodiola Rosea. It even helps with stop smoking blues. As I have stated here, my Citizen Union Members can partake of a Nutrient Vitamin trial for 3 Months & play part of the Union body, like an Anaconda River, paving the way for change & choke, the life out of other constricting economic Vipers, like the Petro Dollar http://www.whatreallyhappend.com My 3rd supliment could be Rhodiola Rosea info like http://www.wellspring-hypnosis.com/Rhodiola-rosea-extract.php & the Rhosavin 100(Tm) product.. Nature provides Life sustaining nutrients, like Dandalion root effective against Cancer. Yet, society as ignorant Cattle, choose to eradicate such gifts as a neusance in their artificial controled ego.. Truths are what we stand on, lies are what we buy into. Fear. False evidence appearing real. Thanks Buisy..
January 3rd, 2013 at 3:29 pm
Directly engaged in Civic Life! Yes!! I ment to post on Mormonism roots, but find this article more suited.. Mormons seem enlightened, they prepare like preppers for chaos & revolt. Plus they were said to have been lead to the Utah Salt flats, an ideal refuge, must the Earth go upheavel & major quakes disrupt the Land in Biblical destructive force, like from Niberu PlanetX if such exists.. Bill Schnoeblen ex-Vampie 90 Degree Free Mason said he was delivered from Satan in the fold with Mormon Church. Bill has a DVD those whom dare pull head from ass, must view.UTube.. Bill says the all seeing eye atop the Pyramid on the Dollar is actualy the anus hole for young Males being abused! The evil doers seem to reside in a Gay Neurosis… If & when Americans decide that America is in Jeapordy & MUST be up for the Challenge, what will they do???? Vote! Hahaaahaaaa… My Union is a start & a Must, as well as others actions. The day of the Lone Wolf are over, we need to be Tribal/Kingdom.. Other wise some King/Queen// London?!! Will claim ownership & command servitude, & the Cattle will respond as they have been Socialy Engineerd.. I discoverd a web site http://www.wellaware1.com asserting the Sandy Tragedy was a Hoax with payed actors!!! Wake up sciddles.. Funny a Hurricane East Coast dissastor named “Sandy” & then a Tragedy at a place called “Sandy Hook” sounds like a Hook to me,,,, used to lead the Cattle/You into following the mantra for controled disaster relief. In a Panic, the Cattle/you seek the voice of reason/Herdsmen for their own Profits & control. Truly the Cattle “choose” to be dumb animals following the road of liest resistance, as is the American scum down way! Looking for a pro-shallowist Athlete of sorts to rally them/ herd them to Coral they’re freedom & rights, as dumb animals do/you! We have begun the Spiritual ascension, it comes from within, it manifests in (SYNCRONICITY) “meaningful chance co-incidence” it’s manifestation is a 2 way road. Your, your’se intuition is about 50% of the equation, & you don’t have control over “making” syncronicity work for you. It “”comes”" by your atunement/focus & heart immenations that direct your Heart light upon the road of your highest goals.. We R evolving in the Spiritual God Cloud, the illusion is distinguishable now more than ever & why the Evil mennace work hard to dampen your view of God hood.. Like the Movie called Gulliver Seagull or something like that.. We must group & focus on the higher good & be pioneers in it’s servitude to meet our needs, as they MUST focus on Love & Light/ Freedom to pursue Godly direction.. Meaning honor the Soul you are, be the vector of change, command it, thrive in it’s resource.. Imagination is freedom. Speek it into being..The Healr Francis Schlatter said London was the head of the Serpent.. I believe his words..I have a Union idea.. Screw the Patent office.. Give my union ideas & we will build them & sanctify them as to whom can be postulated as inventor… Imagine a world free from Horror.. To many, that would be Hell!!
January 12th, 2013 at 5:44 pm
IT’ TIME FOR YOU , LARRY FLYNTSTONE , TO GET INTO ACTION !!!
IT’S RAIL -JOB TIME PORN-O-CCIO !!!
HERE’S WHAT YOU GOT TO DO , LAR . PUR SLICKS ON THE HOV-O-ROUNT …ATTACH THE FRONT RAILS …. INSTALL A CHEVY SMALL BLOCK SUPERCHARGED 409 AND GET YOUR ASS TO POMONA !!~!!!
BURN UP THAT QUARTER MILE,, BODINE !!!!
January 14th, 2013 at 3:37 pm
I spent time this weekend, mentaly constructing a vehicle. I went to Pawn America looking for heavy powerful Drill, I saw a nice Bosch Router with a heavy motor. My idea is run a electric Generator on LP Gas & power 4 seperate drills or some electric Motor like the Drummel Drill & as well a air compressor for first gear getting enertia going… Make this a science project & encourage others to build like wise. Then have every MAYOR in America sponsor such an event & get your freaken stupid heads out of your ass holes & smell the freaken slave entitled scum asses you American dumb down pathetic waste of life succum to be.
January 23rd, 2013 at 3:44 am
Dear drooling drug induced victims of American pollution, like Flouride in yur water glass & shower/Bath to keep you unresponsive, nor interested in deep issues.. Mr.Flynt is a great card player, I have 3 of a kind ,in the (Sch…) suit.LOL The names Bill Schnoeblen, Francis Schlatter The Healer & Phil Schneider from You-Tube = The last words secret Underground base in Dulce,NM.. This hand disurves attention.. I have a new hero tonight. A Dr.Rima E.Laibow MD. her U-Tube video “I am Adam Lanza’s Doctor – Rima E. Laibow,MD” was very meaningful for me, she mentioned Orthomolecular Medicine & a few others.. All I can offer, you the reader is the grasp at seeing my passion to start my Union of American citizens, the dews collected can give rise to voices as Dr.Rima whom I applaud with vigor & enthusiasm… I wonder if she has been on Coast to Coast with George Norie??? A Soldier also had a Video, fearing Martial Law & warned about HR2749 how food can be prevented from reaching certain destinations… Well cattle,useless feaders, as you are deemed by certain Power groups… Please kiss my ass… Thanks Larry, you are a great American! Thank you!!
January 24th, 2013 at 3:15 pm
Dear Scum sucking swine Americans. One of my ideas is a Large work Factory complex & then a Train line that brings people to this job hub, from area small towns. These employees would work 6 hours off 6 hours & work 6 hours for 4 Days, then ride the train back Home for a 3 Day weekend. There time off, they could amuse them self with Physical Sports, lectures, learning , cooking class & feeding the co-workers healthy Home made food… These employees would all be part of my Citizen Union & the jobs offered would be partly created by their invested Dews, about 25$ a week.. I would have them Build Solar pannels & small wind turbines & Hot water heaters & then mount them on every Home in there town, as allowed by Home owner. Then just give them a Monthly bill until it’s paid for. They the customer feel good they are in the Green movement, helping (Global Warming issue) or freeing the connection from the Electrical grid.. As a team/Union people/cattle can emphasis a meaningful exchange of growth & prosperity/// not the grid lock & Political cluster screw of Wall street, I mean Washington DC.. thought for the day.
April 3rd, 2013 at 3:39 am
The public needs desperatly to remove it’s head from it’s ass. My newest idea, is to build 4 Kingdoms on the 4 directions. N,S,E,W Build eco system city’s as a Government sponsored liptous test & after 30 Years an observation of Health & Social (Hive) successes.. Something like the Omish. This would help with cologniesation of other Worlds & help educate People to support the group effort, for the greater good! Something the ass headed cattle refuse to subjugate them self into… The Public is now more like Cattle than ever before.. Like they say,”the net is closing” That Pirates of the Carrabean Johnny Depp film. When the Citizens, began in unison to sing a song. As they were lead up to the gallowse hang man.. The guy says. “FINALLY!!!” Not sure what he meant.. But I thought it meant the exercise was over & the people had embarked on a Social advance in some way.. When & under what sercumstance will American scum cattle Human waste Citizens find that Musical clifft note to surprise them self & wake up from the long sleep they regard as (freedom to graze like Cattle) eat & eat till it’s all gone & hope you ate more than the others! You’ve got Gold. Yeah right! They can make Diamonds better than Mother Earth, you don’t think Gold is being fabricated! Come-on who’s the Technology Giants do all the soderring.. I wonder where Japan gets their Gold from? hmmm bag of fairy dust. So 50% of Women fear becoming destitute poor carpet baggers.. Maybe the Amish can teach them how to be Women again!!!! Poor might be the Rich they need to become.. Participation is it’s own reward.