Photo by Malte Schmidt on Unsplash

Long before I moved to the United States from rural Greece and ever heard the phrase “we the people,” I grew up with a constant and clear illustration of the power of community. Although “we the people” wasn’t a phrase that translated into Greek, it was one of the cornerstones of Greek society.

We had a strong sense of community, of mutual dependence, and of citizenship. When people were in need, we the people helped. When danger threatened our peace, we the people united. Whenever someone was determined to find a route out of poverty, we the people offered all the support possible.

But while we the people are created equal, the systems and structures that exist in this world don’t allow for equality of access or opportunity. We need to rejuvenate our awareness of the role that small groups of people can play. We need to remind ourselves of the essential truth that lies at the heart of this country — that we, the people, hold the power to change and fix things.

To even begin to fix this we must learn to reengage with democracy. We need to understand that democracy doesn’t begin and end with our vote — though voting is absolutely essential. To fix the problems within our society, we start by becoming vocal and demanding from our political leaders the type of change that they’ve avoided so spectacularly for decades.

Additionally, we can form groups and work together to fix things. It could be your neighbors, your wider community, your nationality, your faith group — whatever binds you together. Use it to build relationships with others and address the problems others are ignoring.

Here are seven areas where we could — and should — take action:

1. Transform education and citizenship

We must address the consequences of how costly education is and how out of reach it is for those living in poverty. Our country could pay part of our students’ higher education costs, but in return the students must serve their country. By doing so, low-income students can gain education and such service can allow Dreamers to become full citizens. In serving local community programs, assisting with infrastructure projects, or tackling a pressing social issue, they become more productive members of both the community and the economy, and together we all succeed.

2. Trade and immigration

Starting at the end of the 20th century, we have outsourced our manufacturing to people in poor countries. We feel we’ve been winning when we get cheap products, but overseas workers are being abused. The only winners are the big corporations and governments — especially China. It’s time that we bring jobs back and reject one-way trade deals.

3. Level the tax

Our tax system is totally inappropriate. It allows people to hoard millions and billions of dollars in trusts and pay no taxes. We need to make taxes more equitable across all taxpayers. We need a tax system that levels the playing field — one that ensures everyone pays a fair amount of tax.

4. Act on climate

We need to be rigorous about weaning off of fossil fuels. We must demand our leaders incentivize and mandate the private sector and their leaders to innovate, encouraging research and development through tax policies. This is another way we can bring jobs back home.

5. Rip up foreign policy

We’ve allowed our political leaders to get away with substandard performance while they look out primarily for economic interests. We need transparency about the financial links between our politicians and the big corporations that profit from war.

6. Fix health care

Twenty to thirty years ago, every city and town had a community hospital. Now large groups have purchased small hospitals and turned health care into profit-hungry, big-hospital institutions. Further, our medical schools are training too few doctors, and too many of those that they do train are foreign students who leave the country after they graduate. We need to demand that our politicians use the power they have to compel medical schools to accept more domestic students and to prohibit large corporations from gobbling up smaller hospitals.

7. Be generous

People often make a fundamental mistake when it comes to building a business. They think that generosity runs counter to profitability. That couldn’t be more wrong. Rewarding your people well is one of the best strategies for the performance, commitment, and retention of your employees. Success should be shared, not put out of reach of the workers.

The biggest change we need begins with us, we the people. We must alter the way we see our purpose. We must commit to building a better foundation for the future.

George E. Danis is a successful businessman, organizer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born into poverty in rural Greece, George entered the U.S. as an illegal immigrant, yet decades later was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in recognition of his philanthropic endeavors and promotion of democracy. Highly active in politics for four decades, George was a fundraiser, advocate, and advisor to governors, senators, and presidential candidates. His new book is Go Far, Give Back, Live Greek (Amplify Publishing Group, Aug. 6, 2024). Learn more at www.georgedanis.com.