worth fighting for

Sometimes I am prompted to ponder, what are the issues that will define our society? We can all look back upon the indents of previous societies, and utilizing our broad perspective, recognize the big topics that were really the most important - the things worth fighting for.

Where we stand today, particularly as Americans, is the result of many moral conquests. The countless individuals that lived and died for issues such as the abolition of slavery, women's suffrage, or civil rights laid the foundation for so many individuals to have the rights they deserve. Without them, the world we live in would be one limited by oppression of liberty. So I can't help but wonder- what should I be fighting for, and more importantly- is there a limit that if crossed, signifies that we've gone too far?

We've got a lot of touchy issues on our hands nowadays. Issues that not only test the bounds of liberty found in the Constitution, but also the limits of one's moral and ethical beliefs found in one's heart. Where should we stand? What should we focus on? Too many issues exist to even attempt to address them all, so which one is the most important? Does the war in Iraq take precedence over the failing educational standards of American public schools? Should we all attend to the needs of the starving children in Africa, or the secularization of American society? 

My personal religious beliefs do play a large role in the way that I view a lot of issues, but even so, I am not sure where I should place my emphasis. Sometimes when I think back of those people that put their lives into worthwhile causes, I feel anxious at the idea that I might be missing out on something big. I don't really know. I suppose that in the least, I can keep myself involved and passionate about what goes on in this country, and stay strong on those issues that seem to have the greatest impact on my life.