Committed folks can do so much

Margaret Mead once said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” So “committed citizens” are the ones who bring about real political change, to answer the question posed by Carol MacPherson in her Sunday column. (“Seeking real political change? Vote straight ice cream ticket.”) Committed citizens go beyond voting and communicate with their elected officials, by mail, email, tweets, texts, and visits to their representatives. They write letters to the editor and talk to others. They have the facts and often solutions that work.

Take the issues of poverty for example. Several groups, including RESULTS (results.org) have worked on the issues of disease, education, and employment; offering solutions such as funding The Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, requesting funds for the Global Partnership for Education, and increasing funding of microfinance. Poverty is on the run. Many believe it will be history by 2030.

These results prove Margaret Mead’s point and show one need not “create a gigantic corporation, a requisite to get Congress’ attention.”

Willie Dickerson

Snohomish