About

About Good Citizen

Good Citizen is a 501(c)(3), tax exempt non-profit with a mission to teach young Americans how to be great citizens. We have NO affiliation with any political party or point of view and are self-funded.

It was founded by Nick Homer, the Executive Director, and evolved from a web-book by Mr. Homer titled ”Who Will Cracked Flag Heart America?”   The Preface describes Mr. Homer’s life experiences that led to the beliefs that ultimately became the underpinnings of Good Citizen.

It was incorporated as a California public charities corporation in June 2003 and given federal tax exemption in January 2004. It was established as “Citizen Actions”, but does business as “Good Citizen”.

To verify its tax exempt status, go to GuideStar. GuideStar is the on-line gold standard for nonprofit accountability. It verifies that Good Citizen is listed in IRS Publication 78, the definitive source for verifying a nonprofit’s charitable status.

The Book - Copyright 1990, 1999 - 2023 by Nick Homer, All Rights Reserved The Cracked Flag-Heart Logo - Copyright 1990 by Nick Homer, All Rights Reserved Published: July 4, 2000 Last Revision: March 20, 2007

Our Beliefs

The Lack of Citizen Involvement in our Nation is a Quiet Epidemic

Increasingly, we are not living up to our responsibilities as citizens.

  • Voting is one of our most important and visible responsibilities as citizens. Yet, fewer than 45% of registered voters and 35% of eligible voters usually vote.
  • Most Americans try to get out of jury duty.
  • Community service is often seen as a once or twice a year activity

Our lack of involvement is widespread and has profound consequesnces. Everyday we hear of government, media, school, judicial, or business actions (or inactions) that cause us concern. But we do little about them. Special interest groups step in to fill the void and now run the show — our silence is turning us into a SIGocracy, a government “of, by, and for” special interest groups. See the Democracy Death Spiral to better understand the impact of citizens not involved in their democracy.

Each nation faces economic, social, environmental, security, educational, legal, and health challenges. The solutions to these challenges are most effective when a great number of citizens are involved in making them.

Too many good people do nothing.

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing.”  – Edmund Burke

Americans Need a Broader View of Citizenship

Our view of citizenship has become skewed. We look more at our rights than our responsibilities. When individuals or special interest groups want something, they claim it is their right. And, we expect the government to take on what should be our responsibilities.

The Declaration of Independence promises “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”. We have become more interested in our “pursuit of happiness” than keeping our country safe (‘life’) and free (‘liberty’). We have forgotten that if we do not fulfill our responsibilities, we will have no rights.

Most Americans see citizenship as voting, jury duty, and occasional community service. Keeping a democracy strong demands much more. We as citizens must be vigilant and involved. We must each take small actions on a day-to-day basis, let’s call them citizen actions, that help keep our democracy strong and thus the country free..

 “Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but rather the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime.” – Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.

Effective citizens do simple, yet impactful things

Effective citizens do simple, yet impactful things – citizen actions – on a daily basis that keep the country free.