For Change

The endless rallies are wearying. Maybe it's our culture of dependence (on charity, on hand-outs) but whenever I see another rally on tv (internet news), I think, why don't they do something more proactive? Our problems will not be solved on the say-so of a politician, no matter how charismatic or well-intentioned. If your government's not working for you, why don't you create an NGO that'll do the job?

Sounds simplistic, and more than a little ignorant, yes, but I am just tired of the hopelessness I can see in others' eyes and mine. Wouldn't it be nicer to watch news of ordinary people who initiate recycling projects, small business lenders, vocational training, adult education, etc. Wouldn't it be nice to offer solutions that any and everyone can do, instead of endless criticisms of whoever is in power?

Maybe a group that bands together and says: I will not participate in corruption. I will pay my taxes on time. I will not jump through hoops at City Hall to get a permit or a license. I will not give money when a policeman stops my car after I broke the rules of traffic. I will not steal office supplies from work, or tissue paper from hotel bathrooms. I will not write on public property. I will not steal books from libraries. (Just small things we don't even consider wrong nowadays.)

It could snowball into something bigger, if only with enough momentum.

And then the question is turned back onto me. What am I doing to help the change along?