You hear that a lot, particularly nowadays. However, you can make a difference, any one of us can. Look at what one bereaved Mother, Cindy Sheehan has been able to do: embarrass the most powerful man on earth. Or what Margaret Mead said about how effective small groups can be. Observe the tribes of HAIR with their continuing message of freedom, peace and love.

Perhaps we cannot remake the world and even have much effect on the nation. We can accomplish things worthwhile and make a lasting impression. The best way to do that is go local.

Take a local approach to your concerns. This can be working within existing local structures or in your cyberspace. This can be participating in for example the local school, zoning or library boards or as many of us do, edit interactive political list and some, as I, write blogs. Participation is critical. Too many opt out of actively being involved. Then we have all sorts of complaints about government and politicians. What can we expect if we are not going to take the time to be involve?

Community ownership of common infrastructure and facilities are important and can be very beneficial to all. In an opposite position it is very necessary to protect private ownership. There was recently an astonishing decision by the Supreme Court allowing condemnation of private property for private development. Local ordnances are seriously challenging this.

Personal liberties are under serious pressure throughout the country. Not only are such lists, as library records are no longer sacrosanct, all sorts of private records are being made public. Police oversight is so important. And the most effective oversight is that done by local citizens.

Don't forget our interdependence is not only national but worldwide. We are living nowadays in an increasingly smaller nation and likewise a smaller world. The population explosion is overtaking or ecological system. Not respecting this is what wars are made from. For the sole advantage of the military industrial/banking/oil establishment.

So let us dig in and participate if only to have others see and hear our points. We have to realize tat the media is not going to do it for us.

We had better do it for ourselves!