Follow "local" bloggers up to general election day at Patchwork Nation

The Christian Science Monitor has just unveiled a different kind of "election 2008" web site, called "Patchwork Nation". Instead of the common "red state/ blue state" analysis of the nation's voters, it focuses on 11 different types of communities, based on census data and demographics. You can find out with your zip code where you are and follow local blogs up to general election day this November, 2008; statistics are given on what each community looks like.

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Get involved locally with WhatDoTheyKnow.com and GroupsNearYou.com

mySociety.org is introducing two new citizen activist websites: http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/ and http://www.groupsnearyou.com/. Both focus on local activities, from your neighborhood, street or town. Meet and keep in touch with your neighbors and issues, and improve your quality of life. Even though mySociety.org is based in England, they are encouraging people around the world to: (1) find out what your local government bodies know about what is happening in your area, and (2) join or start a local citizens group and to add it to their online directory.

This is a chance for you to make a difference in your local community.

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Beat back government and volunteer!

10 things that don't require the government, that most people can do:

give blood
take CPR training
recycle soda cans and paper
take a defensive driving course
say hi and ask how they're doing
give during USPS canned food drive
give your best used clothes to charity
vote in all primaries and general elections
join a local church/community service group
put an American flag bumber sticker on your car

Your life, and those you help, will be richer for it!

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Personal involvement is often better than government beaurocracy

Libertarians are not only for deeper cuts in government beaurocracy, but also for improved private sector community service! Good examples of nonprofits and businesses making a difference in our nation's health is the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and Novo Nordisk. The ADA recently announced a $150,000 grant from Novo Nordisk to support ADA's efforts to fight discrimination against people with diabetes.

The Fellow will provide assistance to people facing discrimination in the workplace, at school and child care centers, at correctional institutions, and in places of public accommodation; the ADA receives about 300 requests for assistance each month. ADA's legal advocacy program uses a four-step approach to fight discrimination: educate, negotiate, litigate, and legislate. It has developed educational materials, negotiated standards for fair treatment of people with diabetes, brought federal and state lawsuits and administrative actions, and changed unfair state and federal laws.

The strongest motivation for community service is often not a government program, but people who personally get involved through organizations privately built to fight societal ills.

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Volunteerism is good for our nation's quality of life

One of the great legacies of President John F. Kennedy was the Peace Corps; young people heeded the call for community service, and in subsequent decades provided critical care to the needy the world over. There is no reason why this spirit of helping one another can't be inspired again by our nation's leaders at all levels of government.

Today, a very active charity is the American Diabetes Association (ADA). It is the nation's leading health non-profit organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Freedom of association has always been vibrant in America, and the ADA is a successful example of inspired volunteerism.

There are many ways to serve your community, depending on the gifts and talents God has blessed you with. Do your part to support others that are in certain areas of life not as fortunate, whether that be health, family, education or any other quality of life.

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