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Freedom in Sight - End of the Underground Railroad in
Lewiston, New York and Freedom on the other side of the Niagara River |
Allow me to begin this article by stating that I am not a practitioner or believer in what has come to be known as “political correctness,” hereafter referred to as “PC.” Do not mistake that for meaning I'm insensitive to other people of any other race, color, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, religion, pet preference, political party (or not) affiliation, etc.
I simply see people as they present themselves and their values to me. I make my discriminatory judgments based on that presentation. Yes! I said that I make discriminatory judgments and so do you. To say you don't is simply lying to yourself.
I wanted to establish this ground rule in the beginning. If this bothers you, press the back button on your computer and move on to someone else's blog who will probably lie to you about being PC. I'll delve deeper into my thoughts and beliefs on this in a future article.
We Are NOT Created Equal!
I don't care what the Declaration of Independence says about being created equal and our inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am a realist and a pragmatist. I don't believe you can make a silk purse from a sow's ear. That is not unless you have a fairy godmother with a magic wand.
Here are some basic facts proving our inequality . . .
- I am smarter than many of you and I am not as smart as many of you – and vice-versa – therefore, we are not equal.
- I am physically stronger than many of you and I am not as strong as many of you – and vice-versa – therefore, we are not equal.
- I have some gifts and talents that some of you don't have and some of you have gifts and talents I don't have – therefore, we are not equal.
- Because of my gender I cannot bear a child, but those of you of the opposite gender can bear a child – therefore, we are not equal.
- Some of us were born poor, some extremely wealthy and most in the middle or working class – therefore, we are not equal.
- Some of us were born into one culture or another and/or of one race or another and/or of any number of nationalities, each with differing degrees of freedom, opportunity and/or oppression – therefore, we are not equal.
You can add other traits making us unequal. This is reality. This is fact. The clause in the Declaration of Independence about being created equal was written with good intention, but is actually a sweeping generalization. It didn't take the individuality of each person into account.
The U.S. Declaration of Independence
I recommend that you read it carefully whether or not you have ever read it before. You'll find the declaration was a broad-based political treatise and did not (nor could it) take into account the many differences making us unequal and uniquely human.
Real Life
Here's the deal. You have to make your life whatever you want it to be. You have to recognize your own inequalities and capitalize on your uniquely positive traits while downplaying and/or overcoming those areas you are weaker in. The positive thinking approach says you can be or achieve anything you want to in life. It may sound good, but it's not realistic.
For example, I will never be a great composer, musician, artist or sculptor. Yes, I may be able to do some of these things, but I will never excel at them. I don't have the talents or gifts. Also, I will never be a mother. I can try as hard as I want to, but it won't happen.
What I can do is identify my traits, strengths, gifts and talents and do my best to excel in those things. It's my choice. It's my reality and life. I don't want anyone or a government agency/law messing with my Real Life.
Real Liberty (Personal Freedom)
Don't expect our government or any government on any level to promote and guarantee your liberty and personal freedom. That is the antithesis of the actual purpose and function of all governments at all levels (including the private sector like corporations and institutions).
You must claim your own liberty and personal freedom. You must define it for yourself (and no one else). You must determine how you can live in our society or any other society without breaking the ever increasing, overbearing and oppressive freedom squelching laws, rules, ordinances, regulations, covenants, etc.
Governments and the laws they continually add have become onerous for freedom loving people.
The Pursuit of Happiness
| A friend, Leonard's Pursuit of Happiness His Bluebird school bus conversion turning into his personal condo on wheels |
This is important. You and only you are responsible for your happiness. Happiness is an attitude and state of mind. Don't expect the government to take any action to make you happy. It's not their job or mission.
Here's an example. A close friend lives in a very congested area of a larger city. When he moved there most people only had one car. Currently, with more housing and families with at least two vehicles, parking is a huge problem. When someone parked a school bus on part of the street, he complained to the government to ban parking of such vehicles.
The government's response was to eliminate ALL legal parking where the school bus parked. They lost four parking spaces. The government's solution made parking a worse problem. Then they eliminated at least two more parking spaces on the opposite side of the street.
Problem solved? The school bus just parks further down the street. Are the residents happier now? Not just no, but hell no!
The Freest, Happiest People
Just remember, if someone says, “Hi, I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.” Slam the door and run away as far and fast as you can. You can be and are as equal, happy and free as you choose to be. That choice is your inalienable right.
