Political activism can be a wonderful thing. When people band together to fight what they perceive to be a wrong, mountains can be moved.

Despite obstacles placed in the way, the power of the human spirit to persevere and flourish can change nations.

We only have to look back at the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to witness the power of the spirit and how one person’s dream can bring about changes no one thought possible.

On the other side of that coin are the people who make a lot of noise and get their names in the news but often do nothing else.

Whether these people just love getting involved in causes or love publicity, the result is the same. A whole lot of squawking goes on until public interest fades, then so do they. Until the next “celebrity” cause comes along.

Be they Republicans or Democrats, conservative or liberal, they do seem to have one thing in common. They love causes and all that goes with them, but they apparently don’t have time for people. Constantly busy with picketing and speech-making, they are too caught up in their personal rights and privileges to notice the person next to them who may not have anything to eat.

I recently read a story about an elderly brother and sister who lived in a run-down shack hidden behind some trees. They had nothing. No running water or electricity. The roof had caved in and they moved out onto the porch, which they had covered with plastic to keep out the elements as best they could. They shared this tiny space with their two dogs and cats.

Yet they never asked for help from anyone, nor did they expect it. They relied upon themselves and survived the best they could. No one would have ever known about them had the brother not died and local churches were asked if they could donate money for his burial.

They are far from alone. Drive along any road in this country and there are people who desperately need help in some way but don’t ask because they are either too proud or know that if they do it will be pointless.

Many people have nothing to eat. Others have no place to live. Many do have a roof over their heads but their homes are in desperate need of repair, which they can’t afford.

And yet many people, rich, powerful and ordinary alike, walk past these people everyday without seeing them, but do find time and money to donate to some obscure cause.

People matter. Off-the-wall causes don’t. We don’t have to agree with one another’s opinion in everything, but the one thing we should all agree on is that people come first.

If each of us will work to improve the small corner of the planet where we live, then we can truly move mountains.