On a recent weekend, people all across Maine’s 2nd District joined in the national “Hands Off” protest. It was peaceful. It was passionate. And it was powerful. Whether or not you agreed with the cause, it reminded us of something that transcends political parties and policy debates: the sacred right to speak freely and assemble peacefully.
Free speech isn’t a privilege reserved for the popular, the powerful or the politically correct. It’s a God-given right, enshrined in our Constitution, and it’s what makes our nation different from so many others. That’s why, even if I disagree with what someone says, I will defend with everything I have their right to say it. I don’t believe voices should be silenced
simply because their message makes someone uncomfortable. That’s not what this country was built on, and it’s not the Maine I know.
But while I fully support the right to protest and speak out, I believe we as a nation are at a crossroads — and we need to talk about something deeper. Because while it’s easy to raise a sign or post a video, fixing the broken parts of our country takes more than words. It takes work — real, hands-on, humble service.
Let’s be honest: shouting about change is a lot easier than rolling up your sleeves and being the change. It’s easy to type out a post. It’s easy to blame Congress. It’s easy to go to a rally. But it’s much harder to serve on the school board, start a food pantry, mentor a teenager or shovel your neighbor’s driveway without expecting anything in return.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against protests. I’m grateful to live in a country where protests are possible without fear of arrest or retaliation. But a protest can’t replace personal responsibility. And as someone who’s worked in both business and ministry, I can tell you firsthand: the most lasting, meaningful change comes not from slogans or shouting, but from people who show up, stay late and serve quietly behind the scenes.
America doesn’t need more viral outrage. It needs more everyday servants. More parents investing in their kids. More volunteers picking up trash on Main Street. More neighbors helping neighbors without waiting for a government solution.
I believe Jesus said it best: “The greatest among you shall be your servant.” That wasn’t just spiritual advice. It’s a blueprint for rebuilding a fractured nation. When you serve someone else, you stop thinking of them as the opposition. You stop seeing politics first and start seeing people again.
We’re living in a time when it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. National debt is soaring. Trust in our institutions is declining. People are angry on all sides. But I believe we still have the tools to fix it — not through shouting louder, but through serving better, and not through tearing each other down, but through lifting each other up.
So if you took to the streets, thank you for using your voice. If you posted about injustice or shared concerns about the direction of the country, keep engaging. But don’t stop there, because if all we do is speak, we’ll never move forward. Speech starts the conversation, but service is what drives transformation.
Want to fix the country? Volunteer at your church. Support your local farmer. Mentor a young man who needs direction. Run for your town council. Take your passion for change and channel it into something that outlasts a protest sign or a social media post.
That’s how we fix the country — starting with a shovel and a neighbor.
Jantzen Craine is a husband, father of four, and general manager of Ivey’s Motor Lodge in Houlton. He has a background in business management, ministry and live entertainment and writes about leadership, faith and American values from a conservative perspective.
