The United States was once a land of wholesome civic organizations. By its very nature America lent itself to private groups working for the betterment of their fellows and the society as a whole. In America the role of government was limited by the Constitution and the American zeal for liberty, and the American Experiment is largely one of private individuals acting for the common good on their own, independent of the force and coercion of government. This is an important point, because what is done by government in many societies was done by private groups in the United States. There are many charitable acts performed by such organizations as the Rotaries, the Elks, the Optimists, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion. And more than charitable acts these groups form the basis of community, help to knit the People together in a brotherhood of community service. The local welfare office may have greater resources to help feed the hungry than the local chapter of the St. Vincent De Paul Society, but the society usually does a fine job of giving help to the poor - and in the process makes its members better citizens. These organizations were once the bedrock of Middle America.
