The Emperor's New Clothes

"Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." - John Kennedy.
It seems that some people are saying this again. I heard it the other day. Many people seem to think that if you question the people in power. If you express dissatisfaction with their decisions you are asking what your country can do for you, instead of asking what you can do for your country.
I couldn't disagree more.
In the children's story The Emperor's New Clothes some smooth talking thieves acting as tailors sell the emperor some new clothes. The trouble is they are invisible. They go on about how wonderful these new clothes are. The emperors pride gets in the way so he goes along with it. All his staff plays along like the wonderful "yes men" that many leaders want around them. Before you know it there is a parade for the emperor to show off his new clothes. All the royal subjects play along too. Until a young child yells out "But he's not wearing any clothes!" Suddenly everyone is ashamed, for themselves and the emperor.
So what can you do for your country?