Liberty And Equality?

There is a Not-So-Subtle Tension Between Liberty & Equality. The issue is framed by current events:

Leftists, Libertarians, Progressives and any number of Social Architects seemed fixated on making sure all people groups are treated equally.

Conservatives, Strict Constitutionists and Traditionalists favor Liberty which, by its very nature, tends to limit equality.

The reality is: the more liberty a person has, the greater are the inequalities. When people are free to be and to do what they can, the differences in people become more pronounced.

This is seen as unfair and destructive to those who do not have the same capacities. So, compassionate people step up to limit the highly imaginative and productive people, in order to make the playing field more equal. In so doing, they infringe on the rights and liberties of the creative group.

The framers of our Constitutional Republic understood this tension. They crafted a societal structure which rewarded creativity and industry while fostering and encouraging Christian values. We see it in every State Constitution, in the way our law is structured, in the place given to public prayer and expressions of the Christian religion, as well as the Scripture verses and sentiments carved into just about every government building.

What they knew was: unless people had a God-consciousness, the tendency would be to run rough-shod over those who could not (or would not) compete in this arena. It is only in the Judeo-Christian ethic that we find the selflessness and deference so necessary to a strong society.

The arguments will come, pointing to this religious philosophy or another, as equally good, but the proof is still in the pudding! Which country has out-shined all other societies for enshrining liberty, justice, enterprise, creativity and personal freedom? Which society is as generous and self-effacing? After WWII, America was the only country with the Atomic Bomb. We could have cowered any and all nations into subservience, creating a World Government for and about The U.S. We didn't! It took the atheistic, Communists, to try this.

Critics can find notable abuses in this or any society, but the over-arching testimony of The United States of America is one of industry, innovation and the desire for peace. English is the Trade Language of the world because of America. The dollar (so far) is the standard of currency for the world. People around the world risk their life and future to come to our shores. America is a Success Story never before told.

We have enjoyed this marvelous 'ride' not because our laws force us to be fair or require equality in every area, but because our ethic does. The Greatest Generation is so because of their selflessness. Reared in great deprivation, forced to set their personal life 'on hold' to fight a World War, coming home to a land without enough jobs or housing and dealing with the psychological issues that wars create, this generation set all that aside and simply went to work!

Multiculturalism, Rights advocates, Progressives and Socialists have sought to make us do what our grandparents did out of their own heart. They hate The God of The Bible. They are embarrassed by their own success. That success gives them time to consider something beyond survival. So they are trying to make people be and do what they believe is right and good. How's that working out?

Their goals may be good, but their tactics are abusive. To make sure everyone is treated equally requires laws which limit everyone's freedom.

The Wrongs of Rights

Can you list your "Rights?" We have Civil Rights, Personal Rights, Voting Rights, Reproductive Rights, The Right to Choose, The Right to feed our family [think illegal immigration], Childrens' Rights, Individual Rights, The Right to Healthcare, The Right to own a home [think America's economic collapse] and the list goes on, almost endlessly. New Rights are being found or created every day.

Now....can you list your Responsibilities? If you are the average person, this list will be much shorter. We have been taught NOT to think in terms of responsibility. Responsibility mitigates our Rights, controls and limits the free expression of our Rights. Responsibility is quite simply a Killjoy!

However, without responsible citizens, family members, legislators, police officers, teachers, pastors, professors, administrators, executives, etc, the society suffers. Individuals are inflated beyond the bounds of decency and respect. Decisions are more self-centered than magnanimous. Children don't learn to control their desires. Parents don't parent. And society suffers.

We have reached the point where everyone is an individual and no one has any real responsibility for the condition of the group. The 'system' has become so complex and confusing, even the worst abuse can be explained in such a way as to either convince or so obfuscate as to leave most people polarized and frustrated. Often frustrated enough to 'check out' of the debate.

An emphases on Rights leads to Rebellion. An emphasis on Responsibility leads to character. Seen any character lately? Our society is fixated on making sure everyone knows and has essential Rights. This has led to a breakdown of morals and decency. The most obvious abuse has been in The Family. Children who grow up understanding their Rights, generally develop a superiority complex and confront any and all challenges to those Rights. In the process they do not learn Life Lessons.

Look at all the Government Programs designed to compensate for irresponsibility. The Message? Live however you want and the government will pick up the pieces. This is a recipe for government control. The reason we have seat-belt laws is because the government is the final insurer against the damage which accrues to those not wearing a seat-belt. Multiply that by however many Rights you have to do whatever you want. Now, divide that by the laws and policies devised to control for your irresponsible behavior and you begin to see the social slavery created by all those Rights!

Cynical? Wait till you see National Healthcare, Amnesty for illegal immigrants and the Rationing of Energy [Cap-And-Trade] which spells the end to private property. All because people have Rights!