Ask not what your society can do for you, ask why you, as a mere individual, have earned the godforsaken right to burn your societies’ precious resources.
I’d rephrase the JFK quote along the lines of “Ask not what your society can do for you, ask what you, as a mere individual, can do to lead it in a saner direction.” Right up there with something else one of his speechwriters wrote: “Some men see things as they are and ask ‘why?’. I see things as they are not and ask ‘why not?’.
About your political chances, Micheal Bloomburg in NYC, and the California Governor’s race are showcasing a move away from career politicians, at least in this election cycle. Who knows what’s possible or impossible?
