Idaho earns mixed results in study on nation's civic health

Soccer practice. Meetings, Club functions. Fundraisers. PTA projects. The list is almost endless. The more people you add to the equation, the harder it is for families to sit down together and connect over dinner. In some families, you almost need an appointment to find out what the others is doing.

And yet, a study ranking the civil health of communities placed Idaho at the top of the list for eating dinner together. Idaho also did well in community involvement and volunteerism — 14th in the nation.

We didn't do so well when it comes to other indicators — 34th in voter turnout for the 2004 election, and near the bottom when it comes to following the news (44th in reading a daily newspaper and 46th in reading a weblog for information.

According to the index, the country's civil health has been in a steady decline for about three decades, according to the America's Civic Health Index: Broken Engagement. The report, released Sept. 18, was a partnership between the National Conference on Citizenship with Circle and The Saguaro Seminar.

The most disturbing part of the report is a finding that America is turning into "a nation of spectators." The most hopeful part of the study is that, since Sept. 11, there has been an increase in both youth volunteerism and voting.

Unfortunately, the study also notes trust in one another has been on a downward slide for 30 years and we're less connected to family and friends. A nation of loners, if you will.

And that's a downright shame. We have too much to offer each other by being a community, connected by bonds, dinners and compassion. If you want to know more about what the survey has to say, go online to www.casefoundation.org/spotlight/civic_engagement/civic_health.

Then get involved. It's a lot more fun than watching the latest reality TV show.

? Caroline Lobsinger is the managing editor of the Daily Bee.