More and more citizens are becoming aware that we are in big trouble. Our government has failed us, and our economy is on the precipice of collapse.

We are in danger of losing most of the good things that we’ve been taking for granted, such as freedom and justice. People are beginning to ask, “What can we do about this? How can we turn this around?”

I will tell you what can be done. In my view, nothing else will work, although a great many will try everything else but this: Become someone who honors six words (truth, honor, dignity, compassion, courage and love), strive to learn what they mean and devote your life to what you learn.

When there is a critical mass of citizens who are doing this, everything will get better.

Doing this is not necessarily a career that pays very well, but then again, no one can stop you from doing it. It’s a job no one will hire you to do, but then again, you will not have to answer to anyone else but yourself.

It’s a job that will require all the heart, intelligence and integrity you can muster, but it will often seem like no one cares or thinks you are doing anything useful.

No one can make you do this, and you can’t make anyone else do it either. So how many people does it take to create critical mass? I don’t know. But there is a number.

If you strive for, and become, any one of the above mentioned words, in the fullness of their meaning, you will become all of them. How long will it take? I don’t know.

There are no shortcuts … and I don’t know of any other way to get there.

— Mark A. Goldman