The Cost of Freedom
"You sir, are a bad person."
This remark was directed at me -- imagine somebody accusing me of being a bad person -- recently in the course of a normal conversation. At least he had the common decency to append the appelation 'sir' to that callous remark. I don't even remember what the original topic of discussion was. I do know that we managed to cover several areas in which my opinions appeared to make my compatriot nervous. And occasionally, downright angry.
Most of the time, when I am involved in a debate, if I can cause my opponent to get angry, I usually consider myself to be the victor. Regardless of whether or not I believe the position I am arguing from. But this gentleman's comments really bothered me, so I thought I would set down on paper (well, actually with electronic impulses dancing on a glass tube) some of my beliefs. Not just for the fellow who felt it was his duty to berate me for my statements, but also so that I might examine some of them again and assess whether or not I was wrong and thus, potentially, a bad person.
It is at this point in my narrative that I suddenly remember (insert loud, hand slapping forehead sound here) the topic of discussion that started the whole mess and led unstoppingly to the irrevocable conclusion of my companion that I... I... am a bad person.
"It is the duty of every American to vote," said Jerry.
(Oops... I promised Jerry that I wouldn't use his real name in this article, so just forget I said Jerry, OK? Let's call him... George.)
"It is the duty of every American to vote," said George. "If you don't vote, then you have no right to complain about what the politicians do or don't do."
(Mind you, I never once in this conversation said I didn't vote. I simply stated that I had some problems with that statement, and I went on to explain to J... George, just what those problems were.)
"Duty is an awful strong word, there George... but forget that for the moment... let's start at the bottom and work up. Of course I have the right to complain...
- Everybody else does. That's how it's done in this country... a minority of the registered voters (s)elect the politicians to fill offices and the rest of the country (this phrase in the original Gaelic translates to: "anyone who does not believe exactly the way I do") get to complain about the job they are/are not doing.
- It's always been done that way, here. That's how this country got its start. We as Americans are not happy unless we're bitching about something or someone in the political arena.
- And if those aren't reasons enough for you, how about the fact that the Constitution gives me the right to do so by guaranteeing free speech to all Americans. That means not only freedom of speech, but freedom of ideas and the right to hold my own opinions. It also means that I can write about it as well... as long as I refrain from libelous or slanderous outbursts."
(I know, I know... that's idealism. It doesn't really work that way in practice, but at this point the conversation had not yet reached a philosophical, ideological level. It was only politcs... or so I thought.) "Now, as far as voting, because this is a free country, and because I believe in the Constitution, for the most part, (of course, I also believe that 42 is the answer to "Life, The Universe, And Everything"*) that means that my voting or not voting is a choice for me to make."
"42...?" he asked.
"Obviously, you've never read *Douglas Adams Hitchhiker's Trilogy. Yes 42. Anyhow, voting is my choice. Which brings me to your statement about duty. Duty is something that is required of someone, either by law, by moral conviction, or by a loaded gun to the head. When it comes to voting, none of those things happen in this country. So, I submit to you that voting is only a choice. A freedom to exercise or not as any individual sees fit."
"But..."
"Duty, I believe, involves things like raising children. Providing the best environment possible for them to grow up in. Guidance, direction, morals, etc. Duty should be considered as equivalent to obligation. I think we have cheapened our language because we are so prone to attach strong labels in situations where they don't belong. For example, I believe that words like duty, hero, committment, among others, have become too generic. They are bandied about in everyday conversation with litle or no thought to their intended use."
"But what does all that have to do with voting?"
"You weren't talking about voting. You were talking about duty. Big difference, George."
"Uhh... if you say so. So what else do you believe?"
"I believe the "religious right" ought to form their own country and seceede from the Union. We could even give them their own reservations like we did for the Indians... somewhere in Montana where they can't foist their narrow minded viewpoints on all who will listen. Or all who try not to.
"Doesn't that go against all that free speech b.s. you were just preaching about?"
"No, of course not. I didn't say anything about shutting them up. That's impossible, anyway. I just want to offer them the chance to govern themselves as they see fit, without imposing their will on others. Of course given the amount of bickering and infighting that goes on between them regarding who's right, and who has the ear of god, and who has the word of god, and who knows the mind of god, etc., I wouldn't expect their confederation to last more than 5 or 10 years in that situation. Just think... we could accomplish at least two things at once with my solution... measured population control (resulting from the civil war that would be sure to ensue from this) and regaining a semblance of freedom of speech and ideas for the rest of the country."
"What!!?? You can't be serious! I suppose you expect this solution to work with all the other minorities in this country, too? Give them their own reservation somewhere and let them govern themselves?"
"Of course not! I believe that all men are created equal, and ought to have the same rights as the next guy. Which means that I believe the ACLU should be disbanded, and Jesse Jackson locked up for spreading insurrection."
"You're a Neanderthal!"
"I prefer to think of myself as an anarchist with ethics."
"I don't believe I'm having this conversation!"
"I don't believe you can't see the logic of my position. What are the two biggest areas of contention in this country? Or the world, for that matter?"
"Well...,"
"Racism and religion. Right. (And sometimes the distinction between the two is so blurred that it's difficult to tell them apart.) So, if we eliminate those two problems, the rest of us can continue to move forward as enlightened individuals and bring about a world of peace and harmony. See..., simple, neat and effective."
"And just how do you propose we 'eliminate' those two problems?" he asked.
"Let me ask you this... are they, or are they not the main causes of disagreement? Yes? Well, what would you do to solve it?"
"By better education and passing laws against discrimination of any kind."
"Laws like making it a duty for every citizen to vote? Welcome to Communist Russia! Better education? Racism is usually learned at home. How do we regulate that? Passing laws that require parents to teach their kids to be compassionate to their fellow human beings? Throw them in jail if they don't? Who ends up paying for that?
"I think the best solution is already in place. Free enterprise," I said.
"What the hell does that mean?" he demanded.
"Well, people tend to place more value on things
that they have to pay to be a part of. We set up a structured organization,
Society, I think we should call it, and charge a fee to participate.
Something like an exclusive club."
| Affiliation | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Moderate Liberal Conservative Politician Religious Right Terrorist Communist TV Evangelist Teacher None of the above |
$ 5.00 $ 2500.00 $10,000.00 $1,000,000.00 (your personal funds) $25,000.00 + 15 Hail Mary's + 2 Revival meetings $2,500,000.00 + deportation fees 1 Loaf of bread (can be your's or your neighbor's) 1/10th of show's gross annual income 1 Student capable of reading and thinking $ 10.00 |
"You sir, are a bad person," he said, shaking his head as he walked away.
Should I have suggested the use of force?