The conversation started with me posting a link to a YouTube video about "Organization for America" (www.barackobama.com). The goal of the organization is to drum up support for Obama's policies. Part of the movement, however, is to get people to "pledge" that they will support Obama's policies and volunteer to help promote them.
Here's what was said about it:
Me:
Isn't this the first time a president has asked the citizenry to make a pledge to him or to his policies? We should be making pledges to God and to the upholding of the Constitution, not a president or his socialist policies.
Friend:
Well, it would be silly if he didn't want people to support him, wouldn't it?? Anyway, Americans are free not to believe in God. First amendment is at least as important as the second! And socialism is one of those words people throw around as if it were evil. But there are a lot fewer homeless and illiterate people in socialist countries than there are here. No guns and less crime too, by the way... I think you and I may be diametrically opposed in everything. Let's pledge not to take personal offense. Discussion is good, I think.
Me:
I am not offended at all by your comments! I enjoy discussing things with you. That's one of the great things about this country. We can discuss things and even "agree to disagree".
I agree that people are just as free to not believe in God as they ought to be to believe in God.
What bothers me is not that Obama is asking people to support him. What bothers me is that he is asking for a pledge - a pledge is a big deal - it's a sacred promise. Or at least it should be.
My problem with socialism is that it robs us of freedom - the freedom to succeed, the freedom to fail, the freedom to educate ourselves, the freedom to rely not on government but on ourselves, our hard work, and upon God if we so choose.
I suppose it's a fundamental difference in core values/ideology. Is it the government's job to "take care of the people" or is it the people's job to take care of themselves (govern themselves / use government as a tool)? We should take care of each other by choice, not government coercion.
Friend:
But the government is supposed to be "us" -- not "them." I volunteered during the election. It was remarkable how so many people were personally taking part. No one can accomplish anything alone. The power of a group is needed to do anything.
Some people aren't members of a powerful church, nor should they need to be to obtain basic human services.
Me:
I think it's wonderful that you and so many others were involved during the election. We should all be involved.
"Basic Human Services" should come from family and neighbors. That is how it used to be and ought to be again. And as far as being a member of a "powerful church", that is NOT required. I have a friend who was helped more by a small church group than by a large one.
The point is that we should not be looking to the government to take care of us. Of those who volunteered with the election, how many volunteer in other areas? How many give freely to charities?
We should be governing ourselves and taking responsibility for ourselves and for those around us. If everyone chose to do this, we wouldn't NEED the government to do it for us. When we shelve our personal responsibilities we give up our freedoms because if we don't take care of things the government will HAVE to.
For example, how many people view the school system as a day care center and don't take any responsibility for making sure their child(ren) are learning and doing their home work? How many people out there on welfare didn't take advantage of the education available to them in their youth and won't take advantage of opportunities to get their GED as an adult? (There are MANY programs out there to help people get their GED free of charge.)
I know many people personally who could have a much better life if they would only take responsibility for themselves. Unfortunately, they don't see a need to because they get a check from the government.
Not everyone is like that, I know. But if everyone chose to be honest, or to treat others with respect, or take care of their own families, how much better would the world be? Perhaps we are heading towards socialism because we as a nation have lost the ability to govern ourselves.
That's as far as the conversation got before I started writing this blog.
Going Beyond
What we've been discussing goes far beyond "politics" - The Democrat vs. Republican vs. "Third Party" mess. In fact, it even goes beyond religious ideologies in a way. It comes down to core beliefs - principles and values.
How about some famous examples of what it is I'm trying to say.
- Penn Jillette: Magician, comedian, atheist, libertarian.
- Ben Stein: Writer, actor, economist, commentator, director, Jewish, political party unknown to me (if you know for certain his political party please let me know).
- Glenn Beck: Writer, commentator, radio show host, actor, goofball, Christian (and a Mormon - and yes, a person can be both), unaffiliated conservative.
What do they have in common? They are moral men. All three of them have a central moral compass that leads them in deciding between right and wrong.
If each individual chose for themselves to live according to their principles and values, how much better would the world be? Would there be a need for government to get so large as to be able to step in and "save" us?
Are there basic principles we should all live by? I think so. However, I don't think it's my job or the government's job to force anyone to live by them either. (And no, just laws do not force anyone to live by basic principles - that's a whole 'nother post for another day.)
Here are Nine Principles and Twelve Values to consider. See if you agree with seven of the nine principles. (I'll tell you later where I got these if you don't already recognize them.)
Principles and Values
One more thing - please don't "nit pick" these apart and say "well, this isn't true because it hasn't been followed by everyone all the time." We could look at each of these principles and point out times they have been violated. The point is that these are ideals and we ought to question whether or not these are our ideals as well.
Nine Principles:
- America is good. Not flawless, and I'm not talking about the government. I'm talking about the people. In general, America is a good place to be and her people are generally good and generous. Look at the way we behaved on 9/12.
- I believe in God and He is the center of my life. (Define God as you will - even if your god is Reason and Intellect.)
- I must always try to be a more honest person today than I was yesterday.
- The family is sacred. My spouse and I are the ultimate authority, not the government. (And no, I don't take this to the point of justifying abusing children so don't go there.) It is up to the parents what religion (if any) a child learns, and a parent has a say in what their child(ren) learn whether in public, private, or home school.
- If you break the law you pay the penalty. Justice is blind and no one is above it.
- I have a right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness, but there is no guarantee of equal results.
- I work hard for what I have and I will share it with who I want to when I want to. Government cannot force me to be charitable.
- It is not un-American for me to disagree with authority or share my personal opinion.
- The government works for me. I do not answer to them; they answer to me.
Twelve Values:
- Honesty
- Reverence (Respect for important and/or sacred things.)
- Hope
- Thrift
- Humility
- Charity (including extending mercy and grace, not just financial help)
- Sincerity
- Moderation
- Hard Work
- Courage
- Personal Responsibility
- Friendship
How many of us, regardless of race, religion, political party, socio-economic background, whatever agree with at least seven of the principles and agree with the above values? If we agree, then we are on the same side. We may have different views on how to achieve particular goals or how to help people, but we are on the same side.
What If?
- What if everyone chose to do their best to live by the above principles and values?
- What if everyone chose, at the end of the day, to ask themselves "did I do my best today to be my best self?"
- What if everyone chose to resolve to do better if the answer to the above question was "no"?
- What if everyone chose to meet together with other like-minded people?
- What if everyone chose to compare what they did, what they watched, what they voted for, or what Congress was debating, against the above principles and values?
The world would be a very different place. I doubt we would need a big government at that point.
What to Do?
I can only speak my mind and work on myself.
I do ask myself every night "did I do my best today? Was I my best self today?" Sometimes the answer is a very satisfying, "Yes!" Sometimes it is a regretful, "No." Then I resolve to do better the next day.
It is a simple thing, a simple way to live. However, "simple" does not necessarily mean "easy". Sure, there are times I am very tempted to just "throw in the towel" and become mediocre. (Mediocre for me - not compared to anyone else.) It would be much easier to not be involved, to be selfish with what I have, to fall into the world's definition of "normal". But I wouldn't be happier, nor would I be able to look at myself.
I am not a Democrat. I am not a Republican. I am not a Libertarian.
I love my country.
I love the constitution.
I love what it stands for at it's core.
I am an American.
(The Nine Principles and Twelve Values can be found at: www.The912Project.com)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment