Civil Society and Charities
Americans are individualists, but we have a long-standing tradition of involvement in civil society. The people of Wisconsin's 1st District are no exception. I am constantly meeting constituents who, through their day-to-day efforts, have transformed their communities in a positive way. Sometimes their inspiration comes from a particular passion – a wish to end illiteracy or help find a cure for a disease. Other times, their involvement springs simply from the desire to be a good neighbor, parent, or friend.

When private citizens work to address a need in their community, they tend to do so with greater flexibility, creativity, and enthusiasm than a government agency would if it approached the same problem. Moreover, because individuals know their own communities' needs and circumstances better than the federal government and because they have a stake in the outcome, private initiatives very often have greater success than top-down government approaches.

For this reason, I believe Congress has a responsibility to work to remove federal obstacles and disincentives to people's active participation in civil society.  Through legislation like the Community Solutions Act of 2001, which passed the House in July 2001, we can empower individuals to renew the local institutions that strengthen our communities. Similarly, legislation that provides for tax-free charitable donations from individual retirement accounts also makes a great deal of sense.

Looking at the big picture, we need to avoid imposing knee-jerk federal "solutions" for challenges that can be more effectively addressed on state and local levels. But this is not the easy route. With greater local control comes greater personal responsibility.

We need to keep our eyes open to the possibilities for involvement that surround us. For some, this could mean working to improve local schools, volunteering as a coach or mentor, assisting people with disabilities or infirmities, or supporting a charity active in the community. Never underestimate what your contribution could mean for individuals in need or for the community as a whole.