“The Power of
Doing Good”
Michael Manoussos believes that it is divinely incumbent upon members of society to work together for common goals and to strive to do “good for society.” Make a life better - if everyone did, life would be better.
We live in such a diverse country and world, parts so different that it boggles the mind and pierces the heart. We hold different religions, politics, economics, social norms and philosophies. But the Sanctum Santorum of the ideals of the human civilization - truth and honesty; care, compassion and charity; faith and hope; integrity and dignity; responsibility and accountability; growth, industriousness, innovation and opportunity; – give rise to our generations as a civilized society and people. This fundamental and invincible core is what we need to exemplify and magnify. Differences and disagreements are part of the nature of human beings (and a good thing); but, it is when our differences or disagreements are addressed with malice, divisiveness, and fear that we fall to evil and shame. History and current events are plagued with such failings. These injustices and atrocities defy any sense of human merit. An eye for an eye will eventually make us all blind. Justice shall be equal under law. Civil discourse and civil interaction, underscored with respect, decency and understanding, are mightier. Let us finally learn and grow and let each of us do our part to make this a better place. Let us be good and better people and let us each spread “good” throughout our communities - we are all interconnected in a smaller and smaller world.
Michael Manoussos, a lawyer in New York and the principal of Michael Manoussos & Company PLLC, contributes to and volunteers for various causes and issues. The accessibility and espousal of education (formative and higher education), the eradication of hunger and extreme poverty (domestically and globally), and equal opportunity and economic empowerment are causes dear to Mr. Manoussos.
Michael Manoussos believes in an informed electorate and disfavors labels or 30-second news sound-bites. Mr. Manoussos, a former adjunct professor of law and politics, advocates issue-and-policy analysis in evaluating candidates for public office. Michael Manoussos has expressed and published opinions on constitutional and public policy issues, which discourage stereotyping but promote reasoning, justice and humanity.
Michael Manoussos advocates grass-roots charitable efforts. Community centers, churches, neighborhood programs have profound impacts on people’s lives. The cumulative, aggregate and multiplier effects of ordinary folks helping and giving can make all the difference to families, neighborhoods and towns.
There are many effective and efficient charities and low-profile charities (whose overhead and fundraising expenses are less than 1%) that do God’s good work and need financial support. The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, for instance, is a trusted and revered venue for charitable giving. The New York Times Company pays for all administrative costs of the Neediest Cases Fund so that every gift goes directly to serve the poor and the Company audits the work of the agencies accordingly.
Michael Manoussos believes that good (and smart) business is doing good for society. Businesses should always strive to provide a value and a value-added. Commerce generates economic resources and resources wisely employed can do profound good for families and communities.
Make your voice heard, express a workable solution, share an empowering idea; lend a hand, volunteer, become a mentor or big brother or big sister; donate food; give away old clothes, furniture, computer; give ten or twenty dollars – this is the power of the ordinary in doing good!
"If you wait until you can do everything for everyone, instead of something for somebody, you'll end up doing nothing for nobody."