I have been a study of politics at many levels in many regions. I have seen speeches and essays written by many powerful thinkers. The overall message is this: that its not up to politicians exclusively to bring change, its up to citizen activists to demand it.
Former US President Kennedy summed it up like this: "..ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.". President Obama coins it like this, "America's not about what can be done for us, its about what can be done by us..".
In this contest, if I can accomplish one thing from our membership, its to inspire every member to take a piece of this union and own it. Grow it. Build it, and yes, fix it.
I wish for every member to consider ways to involve themselves with its operations. At a local level, this means joining and participating in committees as they're formed. Attending local meetings. Giving factual information to new members and encouraging those who have had their faith shaken in the union movement in the past.
The more of us that share in the heavy lifting, the easier the lifting gets for all of us.
We are the union.
All of us. Together.
