Democracy is on fire, so it’s time to get involved.

Democracy is under attack. I’m not going to list the evidence—plenty of that online. Instead, I want to ask, “What are you going to do about it?”

I’m guessing that question makes you feel guilty. Sorry, but you need to stop. The only thing guilt does is paralyze you and that helps no one. Put it aside for a second. You probably vote. You donate to worthy causes. Great…but that’s no longer enough. Progressives are tired and so full of despair that many have disengaged. Conservatives are frightened and angry and defensive.

So what’s the solution? Huddle in our homes watching TV while someone else puts out the fire? Bad news: There is no ‘someone else.’ It’s us. Protecting and supporting democracy is our responsibility. 

If your neighbor’s house starts on fire, do you just keep streaming the latest reality show? No, you call 911. You run for the garden hose. You help get people and pets out of the house. You and your neighbors all work together to put the fire out. We do this because not only is helping others important, but because that fire might spread to our house! That’s what’s happened in the United States. All the crazy stuff going on at the US Capitol now goes on at state capitols, at county courthouses, at city halls, at school boards, at library boards. There’s no 911 we can call to save democracy, so we’re the ones who must ‘put out the fire.’

I’m not good at motivating or inspiring others. My thing is to make fun of myself as I learn about civics and about adult education, hoping that some day I can contribute some ‘small thing.’ Will my ‘small thing’ make a difference? I don’t know. Will it be enough? No, which is why we all need to contribute some ‘small thing.’

What will your ‘small thing’ be?

• Have guided, safe conversations with people you disagree with. Use the material on http://Www.livingroomconversations.org  There are over 200 topics to choose from!
• Write a letter to the Editor about an issue that concerns you.
• Attend a city council meeting.
• Attend a school board meeting.
• Volunteer 2 hours a month anywhere—animal shelter, food shelf, senior center, school, library, etc.
• Read a banned book and share what you learn with others.
• Vote in EVERY SINGLE ELECTION. (Sorry to shout, but seriously, it’s absolutely necessary. If you do nothing else, please do this. Don’t know the issues or the candidates? That’s a weak excuse. Figure it out.)
• Join a campaign.
• Look at the district boundaries in your state. Have they been drastically gerrymandered? Do you know what that means? Find out.
• Attend a protest, or start one.
• Work to change a law you don’t like. How? Find out.
• Fly the American flag. No political party ‘owns’ our flag. We all care about this country or we wouldn’t still be here.
• Question the social media posts that enrage you. Don’t share until you’ve done some investigating of the topic and the source. Snopes.com and Wikipedia are your friends.
• Complaining about the other side isn’t helping. Do something else with that energy.

My ‘small thing’ is just that, a small thing. And if the rest of you give into despair (something politicians are counting on, by the way), then my ‘small thing’ won’t be enough. But if everyone finally accepts that democracy isn’t self-sustaining, that democracy cannot survive if we don’t stand up for it, then maybe all our ‘small things’ together will help.

Feeling guilty about not doing enough? Tough. Get your a** off the bench and get into the game…anyway you can. Doesn’t have to be huge. Just do one ‘small thing.’ Thanks.