John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. In this lesson, students learn about a theme in President Kennedy’s inaugural address, civic action, and consider how it applies to their own lives. Source
Lately, they often come to mind as I attend meetings of civic organizations. Way too often, the people want government, the city, in most instances, to solve their problems.
Or a resident wants to know why our civic organization does not do anything about whatever bothers them. The latest incident was someone writing to us complaining that we were not doing anything to prevent crime in the neighborhood. His work vehicle had been broken into and tools stolen. I understand the frustration but he does not attend our meetings because if he did he would have known that our last two meetings were concerning such things.
There are things he can do to prevent such things from occurring. He could park the vehicle in the driveway rather than on the street. Back the vehicle up close to his house. He could install more lighting around his house. He could install cameras. He could install a burglar alarm on the vehicle. Certainly he could rent a warehouse to store his vehicle and tools.
We should not expect our government or civic organizations, which normally consist of volunteers, to solve all our problems.
Others complain because people park their cargo vans on the street or driveways. Old neighborhoods do not have deed restrictions that prohibit such parking. If such things bother someone so much, they should sell and buy a house in a new neighborhood where they do have such restrictions. Of course, that comes with a price tag, normally costing thousands of dollars a year for the Homeowner’s Association.
