Just what does that mean to you?

Is it becoming involved in local programs that benefit those in need or is it a general concern for the well being of others?

The largest source of the ‘sense of community’ ironically comes from the church towards which you often express strong criticisms, many of which I agree with . For one to work in a soup kitchen someone has to build one. For the homeless that need a place to sleep you need shelters.

I’m not saying that government can’t or doesn’t provided some of these services but if you’ve ever been in need of government help you know that you’re usually treated as a number , you become paperwork and often an annoyance. Once the agency has been funded there is little real concern for others. It's just a job for those involve. And the reasons why these institutions were created in the first place was because some politician thought it would increase their chances of reelection.

At the level you’re talking about, the individual level, I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone that doesn’t care about the environment. I mean, who doesn’t value clean air and water? Objections to environmentalism stem from things like the protection of obscure species to the point where even the public can’t enjoy public lands. It comes from that fact that land owners lose the use 100’ feet of their property either side of a creek when for years it was ‘only’ 50’. I could go on ad nauseum so I won’t.

The one thing that really struck me about your post was your judgment of the people in your community. I don’t see why both types of people can’t be admired. You have the communal altruist and the rugged individualist (and all points in-between).

To see one as bad, wrong or misguided and the other as enlightened is your choice but the truth is, they are dependent on each other.