What if?
What does it take to get the average American out of their warm bed and into the cold streets before sunrise on a day off from work? What does it take to get one of these creatures of habit/addiction to break their routine, to step out of their comfort zone?
Surely even the most blissfully ignorant among us is, to some extent, aware of the fact that there are those less fortunate in their neighborhood, in their town, in their country, in their world. Many even sincerely wish that they could do something to help.
I wonder if Wal-Mart were to promote a day where the first to arrive at their doors after, oh let’s say 5am, would receive instructions and resources to genuinely help someone less fortunate. Friendly Wal-Mart employees would see to it that you could help a hungry family eat for a year, or provide health coverage to a child who desperately needs medical attention that they can’t afford. There would be a limited amount of “assignments” of course, so it’s first come, first serve. All that would be required of you is that you get up early, fight for parking, wait in line, then, presto, you are given the power to do good for someone else at little or no cost to you.
Would the parking lot be as full as it is this morning? The optimist in me says it might be. The optimist in me still believes in the inherent good of the common man. However, the realist in me knows that the current climate of corporate greed and unchecked capitalism would never allow such a promotion of goodwill to take place.
In the end, should it really be left up to the Wal-Marts of the world to lend a hand to those in need anyway? There are plenty of opportunities throughout the year to get up at the crack of dawn and help someone in need; Even without the spurring of some soulless megastore’s advertising campaign, thank you.