Everyday it is more evident that many people do not care about anyone but themselves. You search for people to serve on committees; it is like pulling teeth to find them. You ask for volunteers for fundraisers and they are scarce. Even Christians are slow to help. I know this is not always the case, but it certainly is often enough to concern me.

Apathy, according to one dictionary, is "a lack of feeling or emotion, an indifference." It is a horrible word that unfortunately describes the state of affairs in today's world. Most folks do not care about others enough to go to their rescue, offer a helping hand or even recognize their own personal problems are not the only ones in existence. Apathy explains why folks do not try to help a victim when they witness their attack. Apathy is why folks don't vote. Apathy is why no one takes the time to write their representative about a law that they believe is wrong. People will counter with excuses like they are too busy, or too afraid of the consequences. They will site the fact that, 'No good deed goes unpunished.' I'm sorry, but these are only excuses to assuage your guilt. The rights of citizens everywhere are being violated and taken away and we walk through life with blinders on. That needs to stop or we will wake up in a country that is even more full of chaos and violence than today. We will wake up in a nation that is not free- a place where anarchy rules. Shouldn't we, as families, take this responsibility to provide a better world for the children? Shouldn't we as Christians or believers in God want to prepare a place where truth and love for our fellowman are the traits that one sees first as a visitor to this country?

I feel we must all act together to make a big difference. But, I am sure that only one person is needed to start the ball rolling. Could it be you? Do you have what it takes to change the world? When you help a neighbor or a friend or give your time to a child or a project or effort, you are starting that ball rolling.

Apathy cannot exist in a place where one individual expresses a need to do something noble. Apathy is not caring and just one person beginning to care about an issue can spread public awareness and cause someone else to join him or her in caring about that issue. This person's contagion will be caught by still more people until you are no longer one person trying to save the world, but many each doing what they can to reach the same end.

We have lots of problems in this country today. We have many issues that need the attention of the average citizen. We cannot control our elected officials, but we can let them know how we feel. Their reelection depends on whether or not we feel they are doing a good job.

Right now we are facing debt and out of control spending that will affect our children and possibly our grandchildren. We also are taking the country in a direction most people should fear. We are a democracy and believe in capitalism and competitive businesses. Most of us do not want socialism and we do not want government to take a larger role. We want to maintain our freedom and independence. In order to do that we cannot be apathetic about what is going on in our world. We must fight for our beliefs and even when a law does not concern you directly, act as if it does. We need everyone's participation to turn things around.

Learn more about this author, Jo Ann Wentzel.
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