I have to express some concern over this article and the many other similar articles, notes, seminars, organizations and ideologies that produce it. You are right that we live in a society that has set up a rule for itself that we have many freedoms and that these freedoms must remain free for all. We live in the single greatest country on the face of the planet which at the same time produces admiration and envy in much of the rest of the world.
But I find it odd, hypocritical almost, that the same rights that we scream the loudest about for ourselves are the same rights the we deny the authorities we placed over us to have. We almost enjoy seeing our elected leaders get caught in affairs or bad business dealings and rally together to run these individuals out while at the same time conduct ourselves in many of the same activities. Why is it that we seemingly have such high convictions on so many things but lack the integrity to stand up and publicly say what those convictions are?
Yes, many times those convictions may run against the "norm" but the only way to make the changes that you want to see is to stand up and be accounted for as one that believes in a way that is contrary to that ‘norm." How else is your idea supposed to connect with the governing body so change can occur?
This country has seen much social turmoil in the past. From Women’s Liberation to Desegregation to the conflict over Vietnam and many others. While my own opinions on these issues may differ greatly from the leaders of the movements that they represent I have to express some respect and admiration of those people who stood up for their beliefs and made an establishment - that they simultaneously believed in and wanted to see changed for the better - listen to them and answer to the issue at hand. This is the place where we need to take our own convictions instead of hiding in the shadows and murmuring about how bad things are. Complaints will only sour our own view of life but an active stance of either agreement or defiance will test those convictions and bring about change.
Yes, this does take courage. Yes, it may mean that others may disagree with us. Yes, it may even mean that the government we are trying to change may start a file with our names on it. And why shouldn’t they? We all have an ongoing file on the government, whether mental or physical. Why shouldn’t they have a collection on us? That makes for a level playing field when we can come together to debate who has the best idea for the situation.
Now this is NOT a plea for big government or to create Big Brother. It is a simple statement to say that they are going to operate exactly like we are going to … to the best of their ability. If we can get past the petty things then we can focus on the issue at hand and come to some resolution.


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