As many Americans look to federal and state governments for answers during the COVID-19 outbreak, we cannot forget where our country's real power lies: with We the People.
As the Daily Signal's Kay C. James noted in a recent editorial, the government cannot weather the coronavirus storm without civil society:
While government needs to play a role in crises like the one we’re in, in many ways, our families and our churches, charities, and community organizations—and the private sector—are able to respond more quickly, efficiently, and compassionately, and can be more creative and flexible in meeting the needs of people.
Moreover, unlike citizens in many other nations, the American people are not virtual wards of the state, helplessly waiting for government to take care of their every need in a time like this. While we consent to allow government to play an active role in fighting this pandemic, our civil society provides an even greater way to help us take care of one another.
A strong civil society that steps up during a crisis doesn’t develop in a vacuum. It’s the product of many things. It’s part legacy of past generations, part patriotism and love of country, and part compassion of a just and moral people.
It also flourishes when government doesn’t overly regulate or tax its people, leaving them both the flexibility and the resources to create, innovate, inspire, and provide aid to others.
In this way, civil society captures the awesome power of the American spirit and focuses it on doing the most good.
At the Convention of States Project, we've always been about harnessing the power of the American grassroots to pursue liberty and self-governance. Now is no different.
We've launched a new initiative called COS Serves to connect Convention of States volunteers with the people in their community who need help.
We're mobilizing our grassroots army to reach out to elected officials and let them know that we are ready to go to work to meet the needs around us. For instance, we might serve our communities by:
- Picking up groceries for neighbors;
- Checking in on home-bound elderly folks by phone;
- Keeping an eye on kids who are home from school while their parents are at work;
and these ideas are just the tip of the iceberg!
Families helping other families, neighbors helping other neighbors--this (not big, overreaching government) is the stuff that made America great.
Join with us today as we care for our communities and show the world the power of self-governance in action. Follow this link and use our free system to connect with your legislators now!
