During President Barack Obama's press conference Chuck Todd so famously asked about the kinds of sacrifice the average American was being asked to make. Very good diaries have been asking what other sacrifices families can make after suffering in this economy and one diary stated that we do need to make sacrifices. I do not know who is right, but I do know that our nation is in an economic and humanitarian crisis.
Anyone who has read my previous diaries knows that I did not have many good roll models growing up. I have had to find them in life. I have sought them out to guide me in times of crisis and this has been a great help to me in life. I feel at this time of crisis we can find our own role models to guide our behavior as individuals and a nation.
At this time I think we can look to the example set by Great Brittain during world war two, particularly during the blitz.
Being the history buff that I am I have read and learned a great deal about this time in Europe and I believe that although the circumstances are very different a similar response could make the difference for our nation.
Night after Night the People of England were bombed and firebombed by the German airforce. Night after night the people of England huddled together in shelters. Thousands of strangers slept side by side on subway platforms, and every morning those people got up and quite literally picked up the pieces. Streets were cleared of rubble. Any reusable things were reused. Everyone worked together for the common good.
While we haven't been bombed, plenty of Americans have lost their homes. We aren't wounded by bombs or fires, but we do have plenty of Americans without much needed medical care. We do have plenty of very brave young men and women going overseas to fight and leaving behind families in need of help. We have plenty of economic problems and plenty of people going without.
Does this call for sacrifice? I do not know. But I think it definitely calls for working together. We as a nation can solve these problems if we work together. Not the government! Not the legislature! Us, the people.
Having said that, please let me say this. I have no idea how to go about this. I am disabled myself by mental and physical problems. I do not know exactly what I am capable of doing to change things. But here is what I can and have done.
-I talk to all my friends who are disabled. I talk to them about politics and civil rights and doing the right thing. I actually convinced a friend who at the age of 46 had never voted that he should vote and I am working on many others.
-I have often done volunteer work. Right now because of circumstances I am not doing any formal volunteer work but I pick up trash in the park when I go on my bird walks. ( I am also proud to say I did some work for the Obama campaign and donated $ 20.)
-I try to be kind polite and friendly with all the people I meet. If, as has happened, a republican talks to me about my politics I try to stay very polite and emphasize the things we have in common.
-When I can I make small contributions to organizations that help people.
-I write letters and emails to politicians, etc and of course I vote.
-I limit my use of resources. I buy almost nothing new. I reuse and recycle. I make what I can for myself.
Added together this doesn't seem like much does it? I would like to hear all from all you Kossacks out there! What more can I do for my country? What are the things you do for your country? Let's share ideas of ways we can work together to solve or at least survive this crisis. Maybe it will not seem like a sacrifice if we are all in it together. Please give me your ideas.