“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country…” the quote was part of the inaugural address by former US President John F Kennedy on January 20, 1961.
The recent development in Malaysia has prompted me to think a lot lately. There are a lot of things that I wanted to share, but I kept on writing and deleting it for the past hour, because it’s hard to put my actual thoughts into words.
Bottomline is, too many Malaysians are complaining too much recently. We are always asking what the country can do for us… but how often have we heard from Malaysians on what we can do for the country instead?
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
wow coming from ‘the grounds’, this is rather inspiring :) i totally agree with you on this. lets look positive, and do what we can for the country in our small way :)
i agree with that, but actually that quote, just to defend some govr’nt mistake or action for example of one country can’t give provide good facilities or sort of and then we demand for better.. and then big gun says “don’t keep demanding, and ask what country can do for you but ask what you can do country” come on.. we born as citizen, we work all day out, we study for most of our life, we make the system work.. that a lot thing we do… but keep asking “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country…” come on.. we tax payer remember… we deserve better..
It’s not wrong for people to demand from the government; with demands came improvements. We need to balance our act though… to contribute to the country instead of endless complains and demands.
Yes, some of us have been working hard our entirely life, contributing for the society as well as making a living… but not all of us can say that we are doing our best, or at least trying to. Paying taxes is the least we can do, nothing to hoo-hah about that… have you done your best to make the country a better place?
“We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles & organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety & happiness.” Thomas Jefferson
In which manner has any of the aforementioned essence has ever been bestowed upon the common people of Malaysia?
Unless you have been oblivious to Mahathir’s venemously-surpressing regime or you are overly unrealistic……
how enraging to even suggest that we ask not of what the country can give us but the other way round?
The Tourism Malaysia ads are simply a facade, a Potemkin’s village at best. Indeed we have plenty to offer but the bottom line is : who’s at the receiving end? Who gets to rake in all the profits at the expense of the deserving common people?
Every ounce of what we have accomplished hitherto is not a result of the government’s generosity. Therefore, please spare us this misuse of the infamous JKF quote, which can only be applied in a fair and unbiased scenario.
Your interpretation of patriotism is scary especially in the context of Malaysia. But with due respect, yes, Malaysia is beautiful-it’s flora and fauna; and i salute self-sacrificing individuals who inspire me to join their efforts in making this country safer, happier and more just.
I am not asking Malaysians to serve the government, not BN, not Pakatan or whatever political parties.
Look beyond politics my fellow Malaysians… there are lots of ways to contribute to the country. Have we done enough for the poor? Have we done enough for the environment? Have we done enough for racial unity? Have we done enough (quoting your words kokoro) in making this country safer, happier and more just?
The JFK quote is not misused, just misunderstood.
great post.
but, have YOU contributed to the country?
practice what you preach.