Is it even possible?

Recently I finished a short video for a scholarship that carried the theme, "How can one person make a difference?" and it made my wheels turn. Is it even possible for one person to make a difference? It's taken millions of us to destroy our world one step at a time, and right now I see our society changing faster than ever in the worst way.

You know these economic stimulus checks that the government is sending out to everyone who filed taxes for 2007? Those are a horrible idea; a short term solution for a long term problem. I'll be putting my entire check towards my credit card... not exactly stimulating the economy, is it?

I believe the upcoming recession can be solely traced back to gas prices. Before I was paying $4.50 a gallon, I would get my nails done every two weeks, go tanning about 3 times a week, buy coffee once or maybe twice a day, and shop as a cure for boredom. Now that it takes one full day of work just to pay my gas for the week, spending money is definitely gone. I can see why businesses are suffering. Believe it or not, even Starbucks is suffering. People just aren't buying those daily coffees anymore, and when it comes to coffee shops, why not go to Tully's where you can have free wireless, instead of Starbucks where they require a paid T-Mobile account?

I'm afraid for all the small-business owners out there. Getting through the next few years will be really bumpy. My family's business is feeling the shakiness of hard times as some of our service partners have gone bankrupt, while others are on the brink of it.

I guess that's my rant about our economy going down hill, but it brings me back to my original question: Can one person make a difference? And if so, would that one person please show him-or-herself? Because if there is one person, we really really need you.