Saturday, August 06, 2005

Society and 'Fairness'

Idle speculations on society...


Been listening to a lot of pundits and taking heads latey...about international politics...the relationship between the US and the UN and sundry other things...Which leads me to the question...Does an exterior body, known to be, if not hostile, at least not openly supportive, of internal politics have the right to dictate policy on issues of national security? I am going to leave this question open for the nonce...and I ask anyone who reads this to please please submit their opinion...
In fact, I think I am going to start including questions like this with each update...and will post what others opinions are as well as my own...will be interesting to know at least what others think...

What I really wanted to talk about today, were a couple of concepts that seem to be confusing some ppl in this day and age...Concepts of Rights and Priveleges....and what is "fair".

There is a line in a Savage Garden song that goes "I think the struggle for financial freedom isn't fair/I think the only ones that disagree are millionaires." And he is right...it is not fair...but life is not fair...All men are not created "equal," whatever that means...No one possesses the talents, skills, intelligence or abilities in the same proportions as anyone else...Someone, somewhere is likely to be faster, smarter, stronger or better looking than you...but no one is given the same proportions...it ain't fair...live with it...

Teachers, I know, and parents, most often hear this lament "but its not FAIR!" No, it isn't but it is that very unfairness of life that will allow you to succeed, if you try, or if you are just lucky...or both...No, trying is not guaranteed success....but if you don't try you are guaranteed to fail...so take your pick.

Back to my first bit though....about rights and priveleges...We, in America, seem to have forgotten the difference.

A privilege is a special advantage, immunity or benefit not enjoyed by all, while a right is something to which one has a natural claim. You are born with rights, but by your actions you can earn or lose, privileges.

We, too often, look upon our privileges as rights...voting and driving are the biggest examples...These are privileges that must needs be earned...but they can also be revoked...this is the distinguishing difference between a right and a privilege...a right can never be taken away

The Declaration of Independence lists three 'Inalienable Rights,' these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness...which means, that you have the right to a natural life, to be able to live that life in accordance with your own conscience, and to seek happiness...but only insofar as your search for happiness does not impose on another's rights...

eh...I think the main reason that this is an issue...is the disintegration of the concept of personal responsibility...it has become quite vogue in this culture to blame any problems on someone or something else...if you commit crimes...it was cos you were not loved as a child...if you are an alcoholic it is cos it is genetic...if you smoke and get cancer, it is Big Tobacco's fault...

I guess I don't have to tell you what I think of that load of crap, eh?

People need to look within themselves...take responsibility for their own actions...Make your own decisions...and then accept the consequences thereof...Be true to yourself...

Take care and God Bless America!!!

1 Comments:

Blogger Mik said...

*chuckles*

Wow...you said a mouthful. Modern culture values you more as a victim of the crime, than the one that foils it.

As far as the practicable use of the UN....it has none...

8/08/2005 4:56 AM  

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