Clubs and sports more important than many realize
Few would doubt the ingenuity of our country’s founding fathers, whose Constitution contains a revolutionary checks and balances to ensure limited government and maintain governmental order.
They weren’t total superheroes, however.
James Madison and his colleagues understood that there were several parts of this system that had to be maintained by the American people in order for our democracy to flourish.
America needed the mechanisms of a Civil Society.
Simply defined, it is all of the groups the public associates themselves within. It is the clubs, churches, schools, foundations, political parties, sports teams, and other organizations people belong to.
These groups give senses of pride, unity, and belonging. They also help keep the value of government high in our minds.
And, since we exercise such control over it, government is a good thing for us to value.
Yet it’s not uncommon to question our involvement in some of these groups. Sometimes they seem to do nothing but suck up our free time and add stress to our lives.
But ultimately these civic activities are our democracy’s fuel.
Besides uniting our country, the organizations we give our time to allow us to form our opinions, enhancing our involvement in our nation’s government.
How can we as individuals contribute to the Civil Society?
Next time the opportunity presents itself, consider joining an organization.
But don’t spread yourself too thin. Fuller devotion to a single group will probably allow for a greater contribution.
As long as we are all part of a “team,” learning and growing together, our nation will thrive, no matter what.
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You can follow Colin Criss on Twitter @ADKCurrent
