What Can You Do For Your Country? Be A Civic(s) Leader.

By Karen and Erica

Our country is in a state. The foundations upon which we have rested for decades are being tested. AI is upending reality. What should we–the elders, the wise women–be doing?

We should lead.

We know what is important. We need to convey that knowledge to younger people. What do we want them to know? That, as citizens, they are part of democracy, with a critical role to play.

Here are the principles we would want to teach:

• Government is important. It keeps our planes in the air, our streets functioning, our food pure, our freedom strong. We need government.
• Citizens have obligations, too. If you are a citizen of the United States, you are lucky. But also obligated. Participate. Vote. Tell your representatives what you want. Take action when the government is not doing what you want it to do. You get the government you ask for.
• Everything important in life takes work. Understanding how democracy works is critical to knowing whether we will succeed in getting the government we want. Remind yourself about the basic form and function of our Constitution and our government. Know that different approaches to voting lead to different consequences. It’s complicated. Be an educated citizen.
• Nothing in life is free. If a politician says she or he will execute policies that will provide all kinds of wonderful things, for free, examine closely. Is it possible?  If it is, know that somehow, someone will be paying for it. Figure out what the tradeoffs are, and be sure they make sense. 
• Many political positions are nuanced. You may not be able to accept some propositions at all, because they are inconsistent with your basic principles. Say so. But if a proposition is a matter about which people could differ, open a discussion. Try to find common ground.
• Even people with whom you completely disagree are human. They have human issues–family members who are in difficulty, personal economic issues, hangovers. Be kind. Don’t submerge your humanity. Even if you must continue to disagree.
• Social media is a good thing. If used sparingly and intelligently. Understand that social media sites should probably not be a person’s sole news source. But some sites can offer interesting facts and perspectives–especially ones that do not share your viewpoint. And you can use yours to advance your views.
• AI is a good thing, too. But we do not yet understand well enough its potential for misleading us–indeed, we don’t think its creators really understand what it can do. Or why it might choose to do something unexpected. Check out Sora to see how good AI videos can be. And check out Newsguard to see its view on what Sora will do to us. 

A final thought: as leaders, we should promote civics education. How else will our younger citizens learn what our system is all about? As Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said:

The practice of democracy is not passed down through the gene pool. It must be taught and learned by each new generation.

Justice O’Connor was the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, and she considered iCivics – a civics education nonprofit founded after she retired from the Court – to be her most important legacy. Have a look at iCivics, or one of the organizations found here and here. 

Our answer to what can we do about our country’s future? Be a civic leader. That could not be more important.

What are your ideas?