The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1946-05-23
WHAT CAN I DO FOR
MY COUNTRY?
By june r. Baney

important thing TO DO now, is &c
grow into a good, alert citizen.
should be patriotic Such an OBJ
jectiVe includes more than some
people think. My idea Of it isn't
just buying government bonds and
voting in elections, although these
things are important.
To be truly good citizen or truly
patriotic, among other things, must
live a religious life. / don't adj
vocate the belief that one church
is superior to another, that in
itself is an unChristian attitude,
and certainly defeats one principle
of democracy-freedom of religion.
Most creeds of religion do include
the better things of life. They teach
a person not to spend excess time
and energy on trifles and selfish,
earthly pleasures, but to try to live
a clean, worthwhile, wholesome
life. The finest social principles Of
our civilization were fought for by
religious leaders such as Washing
ton and Lincoln. Their strong reli-
gious faith helped them through
many of the battles of life. I should
try to live such an infectiously good
life that everyone around me would
be influenced. This doesn't elimi-
nate all the fun in life; it means
being genuine and sincere, not flip
pant l should keep these things
in mind when trying, through reli-
giouS organizations, to help the
United States.
Another way I may benefit the
United States. is to respect autho-
rity. No government can succeed
without a INDEPENDENTLY one
chosen by the people themselves. I
should respect authority from that
of my parents to that of the govern
ment. That isn't being coerced, but
it is helping myself as well as my
country. "A person who cannot
follow, can never, never lead"
Also, l should respect the opin-
ions of others. After all, is not
that one of the fundamentals of
democracy. mo mans opinions
are entirely worthless; even watch
that doesn't run, is right twice a
day"
l can help my country by taking
a sincere interest in civic duties,
realizing responsibilities. If l try
earnestly to do everything l can to
help anyone or anything that needs
help, / will be a real asset to my
country; for to have a successful
we must have fellow
ship and good will among the peo-
pie, and what could promote good
will more than good deeds to others?
! shouldn't think of the government
as some kind of vague, haZy, I'M
touchable, dictator, for, We are the
can further help my country by
taking an interest in politics.
can decide which man should have |
a particular office by his quality, not
by the quantity of speeches and |
promises he makes, or by which |
political party he happens to be-
long to. Even if can't vote now, /
following this policy I shall be
qualified in more ways than one. |
when l reach the age of 81.
/ should definitely realize the i'm
Dortance of my generation. Some
day soon, we will have to solve
state, federal, and even information
al problems instead of community
Ones. Let's be prepared
1t would help greatly in this pre-
if we studied social prob
ems. BY furthering our literary
knowledge we would be taking a
great step toward solving these soc
al difficulties. The United States
S taking the lead in world affairs,
out before the present generation
If young people takes its place as
eaders, it should understand these
for, Before a teacher can
each, she must be taught"
l mustn't be impatient about re-
ults, and l shouldn't expect mir
lcles. Very few things in the his
DRY of the world were accomplished |
olely by miracles. They had to
lave a will behind them. Thus it
would be very good thing for me
o develop my will power to such
n extent that it would make it
ossible for me to accomplish many
hings, for, ''the sins of omission are
S great as those of commission.
strong will power would also
i've me the strength to keep away
rom the bad things in life, and to
tand up for my own convictions.
In order to do these things to
enefit my country. 1 don't need to
ave pessimistic attitude. Ill
louldn't be a "griper." I should
.op to think of the good that it
oes to have sugar rationing and
OF to have pure white bread; in
cad of thinking that 1 can't make
Idge as often, or the bread doesn't
,ok as nice as formerly. I ought
, be cheerful and willing, indie
endent but cooperative. That is,
shouldn't depend on having some
ne else do everything, but I should
imply with that which is best
II everyone, in general.
was probably too young to help
UGH in the winning of the war, so
realize my country won it for me.
hat in itself should merit supreme
operation with the United States
! my part Isn't that little enough
do, when my country also gives
e such a wonderful land of Free
I'm" in which to live? 1 never