I wonder about the shift from we to me. I’m doubtful that our society can sustain itself if we don’t seek a balance of giving and taking.
Every so often I read something that just makes me mad. I received an invitation to an event that contained the following quote, “The spirit of the age is: Ask not what your country can do for you, demand it.” The person quoted was Mark Steyn, author of America Alone and After America.
Memorable call to action
Many of us will recognize the first part of that quote as coming from President Kennedy’s inauguration speech in January 1961. As he was wrapping up his address, he said, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” It is such a memorable call to action that many of us committed it to memory upon hearing it for the first time. Clear and motivational, and you don’t have to be an American to believe in the sentiment.
The President carried on and said, “My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” In saying this, he issued a larger call to action, making all of us a party to a higher mandate of doing something for all mankind.
Controversial wording
With the original words firmly in mind and so clearly in conflict with this updated version, I was annoyed to read the quote in the invitation. I understand promotional materials and invitations. There, indeed, is nothing like a controversial statement to get thinking people to attend an event. I am not ascribing the sentiment to Mark Steyn. In fact, he specifically says that it is the spirit of the age and likely said this to stir emotions and start a conversation, not necessarily to express his own personal feelings.
No, what bothered me was that the words align with what I increasingly witness – people who are driven by a what’s-in-it-for-me attitude. It struck a chord because it accurately captures what appears to be the spirit of the age all too frequently. I wonder what happened to the high ideals of putting much into society versus taking all that you can get out.
Giving and taking
There is nothing wrong with people doing for themselves and expecting something in return. People everywhere routinely take risk and expect reward. A system has been set up to mediate opportunity and reward – the free-market system.
There’s also nothing wrong with the truly needy relying on support from the government in times of need. Government, namely the people, is the social safety net for many who are unable to do for themselves.
The part that rubs me the wrong way is when everyone, needy and able, sees others getting and thinks that they are somehow missing out. We each participate in our own way in society and the economy.
We shouldn’t be confused about what we give and what we get. It’s time to remember some of the high ideals about what we can do for our country, whatever that ends up being.
