Ok ok ok ok. So you don’t really know much about politics, or how our government is supposed to work (versus how it is actually operating), or about any of the key issues (like our debt, taxes, immigration, foreign affairs, etc), or you just simply want to spend the time to deal with any of that crap…

Ever felt that way? Ever said that?

“Doesn’t matter who I vote for they’re all crooks.” Really? Is that just an easy or lazy response?

“Oh, I don’t pay much attention to any of that stuff. I don’t have time.” Do you have time to watch TV or surf the Net, or go shopping, or tend to your garden, or check endlessly check your phone, or walk your dog…?

“I’m not smart enough to understand any of that.” Maybe you should raise your opinion of yourself.

“Oh, my husband worries about all of that; I just worry about the kids.” Better think about your kid’s future because THAT is in serious jeopardy.

“I haven’t voted in years.” Then shame on you- it is one of the few civic duties that you have. Paying taxes is another. You do one but not the other right?

“They’re gonna do what they want anyhow.” Before too long you may be right but maybe there is still time to stop them. Lay down for a fight and you are guaranteed to lose.

Just stop and listen to yourself. This is your country and your community and your home and your school and your family. This is YOUR life. So how about diverting a few minutes a day to getting smarter and getting active?

You should first learn the Constitution- read it; it really doesn’t take that long. Read it with your family. Read it out loud and discuss it. Bask in its simple brilliance.

Next, read some real history. Find a good book that honestly covers the history of our country. It doesn’t have to be a huge or complicated book but should honestly cover our whole history.

Get some news feeds from honest sources. Get them from multiple sources as a way to “double check”.

Talk to people about what is going on, what you like and don’t like. Join a civic group or two if you can.

Learn more about the issues that really matter- to you, your children, to your community. Decide where your opinion falls and fight for what you think is right.

Look at your moral and cultural foundations and decide if you like the way things are going. Be real, be honest.

Ask yourself “am I happy with the way things are?” And also ask yourself “am I doing my best to make the most of the life that has been given to me or am I just getting along or even living off of someone else’s wallet.”

Get real. Stop being lazy and stop being stupid. Stop looking the other way and dismissing everything as not being your problem because the funny thing with problems is that the more you try to avoid them the more they have a tendency to find you. And bury you.

Don’t let that happen to you. Wise up and rise up and be counted…maybe for the first time ever in your life.