Faithfully Yours - What we can do for our country

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Published on Saturday, July 4, 2015

By Neil Strohschein

The Neepawa Banner

January 21, 1961 was a cold and blustery day in Washington, DC. A heavy snow had fallen the previous night, leaving many to wonder if the event scheduled for that day would go ahead.

It did—and at the appointed time, Chief Justice Earl Warren administered the Oath of Office to John Fitzgerald Kennedy who was about to become the 35th President of the United States. After hearing him take the oath, Warren shook Kennedy’s hand, said: “Congratulations, Mr. President;” and President Kennedy stepped to the podium to deliver his inaugural address.

The address itself was very short. Kennedy spoke to a nation that was still at war. They had come to the aid of their allies and helped defeat the Germans in World War II. They had defeated Japan and fought the North Koreans to a draw. As Kennedy spoke, US troops were being deployed to Viet Nam and were fighting in a war that would not end until 1975.

In this context, faced with some of the most severe challenges any President has faced, Kennedy spoke these words: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” There is wisdom in those words; especially for those of us who live in Canada.

In recent years, we have not had to ask what our country can do for us. In throne speeches, budgets and other announcements, our governments have confidently told us what they “can and will” do for us. What they haven’t told us (because they can’t) is precisely how much these promises will cost and how much of the aid we receive will be given back in increased taxes.

But we can be quite sure of one thing. Government programs will rarely achieve their objectives. Those who need the help won’t always be able to get it. Help for those who qualify will not be delivered on time and the programs’ costs will (as often as not) exceed their budgets. There has to be a better way to help the needy and strengthen our communities; and I think there is.

I propose that, as a service to our country, we declare our “non-dependence.” I am not calling for independence (opting out of all government programs and services). I am simply asking that we become more self-sufficient—that we refuse to ask others (especially government) to do for us what we are able to do for ourselves; and that we only ask for services to which all citizens are entitled and for which our tax dollars have helped to pay.

I further propose that we reignite the community spirit that helped to build our communities and our country; by promising to care for those for whom we are responsible (our families) and that we give such time and resources as we can to look out for our neighbors, help them when they are in need and work with them on projects to benefit our communities.

Don’t be fooled here. This won’t be an easy thing to do. It may often take more time and cost you more than you think. But the results you experience will be far greater than any sacrifice you may be asked to make. And your greatest reward will be in the making of new friends, the strengthening of existing relationships and the pride in knowing you have helped to make your community a place people are proud to call home.

That’s one thing you can do for your country; and I hope you will consider doing it.