On that same day, fewer than 40% of registered voters and 30% of eligible voters were willing to take the time from their "pursuits of happiness" to vote. It was too big a sacrifice.

Our unwillingness to take on the responsibilities of citizenship to keep this country free is the single most important issue we face. It's a national disgrace.

The top goal of this nation needs to be to teach its youth the importance of being good citizens and how to be effective citizens. If you want to learn how to be an effective citizen, you can go to http://www.goodcitizen.org.  There are 100 citizen actions organized into 6 categories. Specifically citizen actions that:

• REMIND US OF OUR HERITAGE
• KEEP US INVOLVED IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
• SUPPORT GROUPS WHO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY FOR KEEPING THE COUNTRY STRONG
• KEEP INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES STRONG
• FOSTER A SENSE OF COMMUNITY
• HELP US UNDERSTAND THE WORKINGS OF OUR GOVERNMENT

Don't be a part of the "silent majority". In a democracy, when one is silent, they are part of the minority.

Don't blame others. In a democracy, we are responsible for everything that happens - not special interest groups, not the media, not elected officials, not organizations.

Don't let special interest groups define this country. We've become a SIGocracy - a nation of, by and for special interests. Be a part of the special interest group for this country.

Don't let down your children and future generations and those who are fighting and have fought to keep this country free. Make a list of citizen actions that you can do on a day-to-day and week-to-week basis.

Edmund Burke had it right when he said - "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing".

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