“Our God given unalienable rights are given to us all as individuals. They tell us what me may do for ourselves, and they are the embodiment of liberty.
The so-called rights that government gives to some of us are parcelled out to select groups as classes. They tell us what one class of people may require another to do for them, and they are the very essence of slavery.”— Perri Nelson, February 9, 2010
A bheil Gàidhlig agaibh?
Title Change
Published Thu, Nov 6 2008 12:02 PM
I've decided to change the name of my website. It's still my website, and the URL isn't going to change. The thing is, I've been thinking about conservatism, liberalism, capitalism, and socialism for a while, and believe that ultimately the difference between these ideas comes down to the difference between individual liberties and “collective entitlements.”
Barack Obama said that he didn't think he could attain his personal salvation without achieving a “collective salvation.” It is my firmly held belief that our personal salvation has more to do with our individual decisions, actions, and our personal, individual relationship with God than what society does. While participation in society carries with it an obligation to society, it's a personal responsibility and not a collective one.
The wealthy do have an obligation to society. They do have a moral responsibility to share the bounty that they have received with their fellow man. It is the same obligation that we all have. But it's a personal, individual responsibility, and we are all accountable as individuals to God and to ourselves, not to the poor or the “middle class.”
“From each according to his ability, to each according to his need.” It's a noble sounding sentiment. When it's adhered to out of personal responsibility and faith it's noble and supports liberty. When it's enforced by the hand of the state it's tyranny.
Our rights are ours as individuals. Exercising those rights is our responsibility as individuals. Franklin D. Roosevelt said that the right to life implied a right to a comfortable living. I disagree emphatically. If I want a comfortable living then it's my individual right and my individual responsibility to pursue it for my happiness.
When we stop viewing our personal obligations to God and to society as being our own individual responsibility then we've lost sight of what really matters. When we allow envy and covetousness to rule our political discourse, we've lost our moral compass. This envy and covetousness is encouraged by the rhetoric of “class” distinctions espoused by the left. The notion that we are somehow entitled to the fruits of the labors of others is a trap that voters have fallen into.
Barack Obama asked when did selfishness become a virtue. I would say that it became a virtue when it became politically acceptable to plunder the wealthy in the name of the “masses”. The American electorate voted for this plunder on Tuesday. The President elect has his answer.
Conservatism holds to the principles of individual liberty and individual responsibility. Liberalism holds to the principles of collective entitlements and appears to deny individual responsibility.
You know where I stand. Hence, the new name for my site.
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