Citizens' Climate Lobby: Are you a consumer citizen?

In his Jan. 20, 1961, inaugural address President John F. Kennedy inspired children and adults alike when he asked them to embrace the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “… ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good.

I remember watching that very speech in the living room of my parents’ home. I was nine years old. Those words have stayed with me my entire life. Working for public good was my motivation to become a public-school teacher, a career that lasted thirty years.

I recall many engaging conversations with my fifth graders during our Social Studies class. We discussed the definition of being a United States citizen. It was exciting to have them envision the definition of being a responsible citizen. Those future voters were not far off. They grasped the importance of taking responsibility, paying taxes to benefit others, and obeying federal, state, and local laws.

As a class, we would hold mock elections and establish our own classroom rules for the good of the class. We participated in community service and leadership projects, all in the process of practicing good citizenship.

The values I taught in my classes are the same values that are taught in new citizenship classes:

• Support and defend the constitution
• Stay informed about the issues that affect your local community
• Participate in the democratic process
• Respect and obey federal, state and local laws
• Respect the rights, beliefs, and opinions of others
• Participate in the local community
• Pay your income taxes on time
• Serve on a jury when called
• Defend the country should the need arise

We, as Americans, have much to be thankful for and we must all do our part to ensure life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.

The term "citizen" comes from the ancient Greeks. Aristotle framed citizenship with this philosophical decree: “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts.” He taught that our actions impact the welfare of others, by which he meant the common good.

Are we working for the "common good" today? How do we define ourselves; citizen or consumer? VOX contributor, Sean Illing, says that “Americans no longer think like citizens. They think like shoppers.” Many Americans think that the country should be run like a business. “Treating the country like a business encourages Americans to think only of themselves and as customers rather than citizens,” he says.

Ethan Porter, public affairs assistant professor at George Washington University and author of "The Consumer Citizen," states that citizens are now being asked to focus on what to buy, goods of all sizes, and all prices, nearly all of the time. He claims that the "ideal citizen" is a fantasy and what we have now is a consumer citizen. Most people, he says, don’t spend much time thinking about policy; but instead, what to buy, who to hire, what they can afford, and how all this purchasing affects them as individuals.

Porter stresses the ancient Greek political philosophy — that citizenship makes demands on people, requiring a more active involvement in public life. It demands that people take the responsibility to acquire knowledge about policy issues. Citizenship demands that people participate in the political debate and accept the burdens that come with democratic engagement.

Jon Alexander, co-founder of the "New Citizenship Project," is hopeful when he asks the question, “What if we saw people as citizens and not consumers?” He believes that it is essential for society to shift from a consumer mindset to one of citizenship. We need to participate more actively in societal change. “We believe that given the right opportunity, people can and will shape the things that matter to them for the better,” he states.

As an educator, I am in agreement with the importance of citizenship. It is why I have since 2016 worked locally with the Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonpartisan volunteer organization that is working to turn the tide on the climate crisis which affects all of us. I am motivated to help influence legislative climate policy through the democratic process. I urge you to get involved. Be an engaged and active citizen for the common good. You can learn more about CCL at citizensclimatelobby.org.

— Nancy Berg is a member of the Holland Area Citizens’ Climate Lobby. She resides in Holland.