But What Can I Do about It?

Mr. Kahn, a businessman from Chicago, is perhaps best known for his "Letters to the Editor."

Most people are aware that our Way, the American Way of Life, is being seriously challenged—that if something isn’t done, things will get worse instead of better. There may not be agree­ment on which issue or issues are the most crucial, but among those most frequently mentioned are apathy, conformity, lack of a sense of responsibility, racial conflict, inflation, internationalism, social­ism-communism, juvenile delin­quency, automobile accidents, gov­ernment spending, monopoly unionism, foreign competition, and the like.

Yet, we find even those persons most seriously concerned asking this question: "But what can I do about it?" I’d like to have a nickel for every time I have heard this expression from those who earn more than I do. I say it this way to emphasize the fact that so many people, whose capabilities in busi­ness fields far exceed mine, plead full ignorance in the all-important business of fulfilling their duty as American citizens.

Salesmen who make hundreds of contacts before they make a sale, advertisers who are happy with a few orders per thousand broad­sides mailed, fishermen who will go to any lengths in the mere hope of landing the big one, become very different people when it comes to performing their civic duties. Here, they seem to expect imme­diate and overwhelming results with a minimum of effort. They underestimate the competition.

The grafter, the subversive, and the special interest groups have much to gain by imposing their wills upon legislators and upon the public; and what they gain is im­mediate. You and I, who want the blessings of liberty secure for our­selves and our posterity, perhaps are less aware of what we gain by defending and advancing Ameri­canism.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains: people seem to like to believe that they can’t do anything—so they do nothing. Yet, what each person is capable of doing, and has the ability to do, is most substantial.

Sound Opinions, Well Expressed

First, you must have an opinion, as soundly based and firmly estab­lished as possible. Second, you must see that this opinion is ex­pressed in public, for an unknown opinion has no more value than any other form of unknown wealth.

Most of us aren’t going to hire a hall, put on our own TV show, or even write a book. But we can, at least in conversations, say we are not convinced (when we aren’t), and let those who have made a good point know that we think they have done well. Even those who would remain least involved can do this much. Psychologists have demonstrated that six or seven people, in agreement or dis­agreement, determine the degree of certainty with which a person holds a conviction. Never under­estimate the power of an ex­pressed indication of approval or disapproval.

You are busy, but you do read widely to keep informed. Good! As you read, mark articles, under­line cogent phrases, check sum­marizing paragraphs. Then, send these on to others. If you have time, include a note such as, "This also confirms what you said," or "You may be right, but there does appear to be another side." Formal letters of transmittal are seldom necessary. Just mail these mate­rials where you think they would do the most good.

You may doubt the effectiveness of this technique until you see an editor, to whom you have sent a mailing or two, permanently alter his policies; or a legislator change his vote on an issue. Or, a friend who has been in disagreement with you will come around one day and say: "You know that last item you sent really has something to it. I never thought of it that way." And still people ask: "What can I do about it?"

If most of us did just this much, the principles and institu­tions of Americanism wouldn’t be as contorted and corroded as they are now. Of course, you could go much further. You could refrain from letting purely commercial considerations "force" you to con­tribute and support movements and actions that you know are wrong. You could initiate corres­pondence with governmental offi­cials, trade association executives, and editors.

Voluntary Cooperation

No matter how "big" or "small" you may consider yourself, realize that you may be the sole initiator-sponsor of an idea—and that if you stop, everything stops. On the other hand, unless others join you eventually, you probably won’t get far. And this works both ways; for others need support, too. This you can do. You can support those who are supporting what you be­lieve is right.

We can think of ourselves as voluntary members of a voluntary army, each of us deciding how much we can afford to give in time and wealth—how much we can af­ford not to give. Just because it is a voluntary affair, we must eachbe responsible for doing our duty, helping others who are also work­ing and fighting in our behalf, do­ing our share of the work and the fighting. Again, because it is all voluntary, we must support our­selves, and we should be willing to give help to those who give so much in time and effort that they need our support.

The big question is not, "What can I do about it?" but rather, "How can I possibly afford not to do something?" That you refrain from doing anything does not mean that your opposite number, on the other side of the issue, will also refrain. You surely can be as effective in shaping public opinion as can your opposite number; and since he is active, you cannot af­ford to be otherwise.

You can go far, if you just keep putting one foot ahead of the other. In this business of being a Citizen, START! KEEP MOV­ING! and you’ll find you have really begun to "do something about it."

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Importance of the Individual

The ideal of freedom is not a fanciful myth. It is thoroughly attainable in a practical way. And it will be more readily attain­able if we quit regarding those we wish to convert as either masses or classes, and recognize the individual person as the fountainhead of good, of energy, of all that is creative.

HENRY GRADY WEAVER, Talking to Ourselves