I ask myself a lot of questions, and often use this blog to answer them. I am literally developing the words you are reading as I type. When prompted, the words come.
I am not sure that answering my own questions accomplishes anything. I have found that people learn and truly grasp ideas and information when they answer the questions in their own ways and their own styles. I found this true in my life as I worked my way through various levels of education. Until a subject became applicable to me and my life, it simply didn't make sense and didn't sink in.
In this spirit, I will propose a question to any who read this. I started the blog so that I would be prompted to practice writing, while at the same time, building the courage to make my views known while I still can. Perhaps I will continue to lead with the questions that fatigue my mind, and while I may give some commentary, I will encourage you to answer the questions in your own way.
Where have you found profound happiness?
I have experienced profound happiness at many times throughout my life; reminiscing with friends about some college events, watching my daughter breath her first breath, saying "I do", enjoying the beauty of creation, having goals and achiving them etc, etc...
What environments have prompted this profound happiness? Does this profound happiness exist under a dictators rule? When socialism rules a nation, does this profound happiness exist?
As I examine this question, it seems that some semblance of personal freedom and responsibility is required. It seems that people will never be happy when THEY have the world on their shoulders. When we can rest in the grace of God and understand that we might actually have a purpose on this earth, it seems to lead towards happiness. How do you answer this question?
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What freedoms and instances of profound happiness are being taken away from you? That you are being taxed so that some other person may have the same experiences you have?
ReplyDeleteNo one is dictating the country. America voted for this change. The weight of the world lies on all those people who worry about how to take care of their elderly parents who were robbed of their retirement funds during this recession. Or maybe the weight of the world falls on all of the sick, uninsured people Americans who would sleep better at night knowing they would be taken care of in the event of another major medical issue...or on the parents who can't afford to send their kids to college...or on the single mother who can't provide for her kids. Think of all the profound happiness that would occur if these issues weren't so prevelent among so many people.
A free market economy will not solve these problems. An insurance company will not deal a policy to a diabetic person with a history of heart attack, no matter how cheap health care becomes. A single mother trying to raise her kids right will not recieve the help she needs from the generosity of the "trickle down" effect. And colleges will not become inexpensive enough for a "street kid" to attend.
BTW, that comment was from me...in case there was any doubt. :)
ReplyDelete~Laura
P.S. I enjoyed the analogy in your previous post. I just listened to a podcast from "How Stuff Works" on mortage backed securities which was very enlightening as well.
Laura, My reponses to your questions will be in my next post. The answers are along with my current thoughts anyway. I have been absent for a while, so I need to get back into things.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I will respond to the first question....what has been taken from me?
ReplyDeleteThere is no instance of something being taken from me directly, beyond taxes which are necessary to some degree. With the deficit spending and the printing of money that our government has taken beyond any extreme in history over the last year, I do fear for the financial security of the future. With all the commitments the government has made, each American has had a loan taken out on their behalf for about $50,000. That is scary for my kids.
I guess for the liberal mindset, the government will just take care of everything so there is no need to worry about this. But I don't want the government to control my life. I value freedom.
The purpose of the question was to prompt you to evaluate where your happiness comes from. For me, there doesn't need to be an example of the government taking something away from me to evaluate where that "happiness" comes from. In my life, I am happy when I am free, and out from underneath the thumb of another, be it debt free, and free to live my life as I see fit.
As stated above, I will hit on some other points that are relevant to your questions in my next post. It blows my mind that people try to justify taxation so that "others can have the same experiences I have". I believe that every man deserves the same basic rights...the protection of their lives, their property and their desire to pursue a path that brings them happiness and prosperity. By achieving something on my own, I am not preventing anyone else from achieving the same thing.
Your comment suggests that you think the government will fix everything, or perhaps that the government is the only way to fix the problems of the world. Take a look at history and tell me where that same mindset has taken the great nations of the past. Government is a necessary evil. We have a constitution to control government, but it is being trampled on today.
History tells me that the more government there is in any society, the less freedoms they have. This has ended badly everytime. I would love to see where the socialist mindset has led to greater prosperity, wealth, health and happiness for everyone...but I'm afraid it has never happened. Freedom and personal responsibility built this country and made it great, not government control and the idea that people don't have to work because the government will take care of everything.
We'll have to visit your statement that "no one is dictating the country." I couldn't disagree more.
Andrew--
ReplyDeleteHaven't been here for a while, and it's still refreshing to hear a new voice for self-determination instead of the same old "they owe me something for something I never earned" type rant.
I've had cordial discussions/rants/arguments/discussions with folks all over the world about the evils of socialism, and it appears that those who most strongly defend collectivism have experienced nothing better; they've got nothing to compare it to. No wonder they're defensive of it (given the alternatives on the next step or two down).
The folks who have left such countries are usually the strongest proponents for free market enterprise, and don't hesitate to criticise the shortcomings of the socialist states that they left.
Here's a link to a video from 1975 by the great Milton Friedman, addressing the same topic with typical uncomplicated brilliance:
www.tackyraccoons.com/2009/06/03/milton-friedmans-brilliance/
Bunk...
ReplyDeleteGreat video, I think I'll post that on my blog as well. Oddly enough, I wrote my most recent post before I watched this video and then proceeded to hear Milton Friedman explain what I am trying to say in much clearer terms.
That is a testament to my need to practice voicing my thoughts.