Reply #4: Very thoughtful piece [View All]

[skygazer]

I agree that it's sometimes hard to see that quality of community - nevertheless, I believe it's still there. Difficult to see in the big picture but when you look closely around you, it's just waiting to spring free. There's an every-man-for-himself attitude at large and I believe that much of it comes from the negative examples we're given in political life, both domestic and foreign. People fear for their jobs, their childrens' futures, their own retirement, the fate of the planet - it makes them less likely to be concerned about those around them.

I live in a small neighborhood. I know my neighbors keep an eye out for strangers around my home and I do the same for them. We feed each others' cats and water plants when one of us goes on vacation. If someone is ill, we help them out in any way we can. You can see that spirit in virtually any neighborhood. Can we expand it? I believe we can. I believe we can bring security back to people, allowing them to focus outwards instead of inwards. Yeah, I'm an optimist. But I truly believe that most Americans are optimists. They just need a leader.