Since ultimate power rests on active, participating citizens, one can say that the Founders created an office of citizen. This office, like the office of president or senator, is guaranteed certain rights, prerogatives and powers. But, the office of citizen also requires the fulfillment of obligations and responsibilities. Reprinted by permission. Good intentions and an upstanding nature do not necessarily make a person a citizen.
Participation working on behalf of the community is the necessary requisite to be called a citizen.
Let someone else do it. Ironically, while people may be disinclined to play and thus take a free ride oftentimes they are not willing to give up being noisy spectators. Getting started as a citizen as an active player is what matters. The size of the step or the issue involved is not as important. First steps usually lead to more steps.