Kellie_B

I believe in America. I believe that if every citizen who has even the slightest will to stand away from the crowd and speak up, actually does speak up; then America will be a better country once again. I sit soundlessly at work or school as people around me speak their mind or bash my silent ideas. Why? Because I have little understanding about what democracy actually is. But I feel that there isn't just one definition for decmocracy, but many. It depends on the individual and how far they actually want to get involved. Of course, that's only from my point of view, others might view democracy as a way for the government to gain power, which might or might not be true. How do we even know if we don't get involved? The answer is this: we don't.

Being a highschool student, I am limited in what I can and can't do in democracy. I have bigger priorites than focusing my life on changing America. I want to go to college, become successful as I get used to the working world, and then maybe get more involved in democracy. I can't be involved in my government, nor do I want to run for any type of office, but I can do the little, personal involvements in democracy. I know I can volunteer, and I have before. I can make my community better. A single community pushing itself to be better in America is better than no community at all. I feel as if a lot of people view personal involvement in democracy as weak and helpless. I disagree. I have ideas. Everyone has ideas.

I feel as if everyone in America has become selfish, and that the Recession isn't helping. The government is trying to make plans to help America, but they can't because everyone is so self-absorbed in what they want, that they complain about every little thing the government does before stopping and thinking about what's best for the entire country. The problem in America is corruption and selfishness. America is a democratic nation. Democracy needs both the government and it's citizens to get involved in order to be equal for everyone. I believe that if every person gets involved in any way, then the country will be better. I believe that it is possible, but only if we really want it.