(and a distinction between Free Will and Freedom...might as well throw in Free Market, Capitalism and Compassion)
I used to be a big believer in developing a world view and sticking to it without wavering. I’m probably more relaxed in my stance now, but not without contemplation. I guess a bit of a turn off first occurred when I noticed how self centered my world view could be, as it pertained to me and pretty much only others that held similar beliefs. Now I’m more inclined to embrace a world view that works for all of us, or at least more of us. There seems to be so much polarity now and in my mind it’s a battle between opposing world views. Yet, here we are..we the people. United. One nation. I’m not even talking about global issues. Just getting along on the national level...with our so called “world” view differences. But I digress.
I’ve been turned off recently by a certain individual and a certain institution that describes world view issues in terms of me problems and you problems. Now, the guy is intelligent and articulate, but I think he paints a very narrow and non comprehensive picture. Regardless of his intelligence and articulation, I don’t subscribe to his version of a world view. Yes, it’s good to know my responsibility level in issues. What’s my issue vs what’s your issue. But figuring out what I had to do with creating your problem is key.
For instance, if I pollute a water supply, that’s a me problem, you problem and we problem. However, if I get my water somewhere else, leaving you with contaminated water...while telling you it’s no longer a me problem but now a you problem, we’ll, that’s callous and immoral.
We are very hesitant to embrace we problems. If I take care of me, by nature I’m not as inclined to help others...not as much, anyway. However, while I believe in personal responsibility and accountability I also believe in helping others. It’s just not as easy to do. I have to change my mindset. And it’s very easy to look at an issue and claim I had nothing to do with creating that issue. Dirty water? Air pollution? You don’t see any factories in my backyard...not my problem. Though we are all consumers that contribute to the ecological footprint on some level. Everything we buy had to be produced somewhere, and honestly, I’m a consumer and inherently a contributor to the fallout of mass production. All consumers are part of a we problem that we all contributed to if not created.
But this is really not intended to be about consumerism and the environment. That’s just an example. It might sound funny to insert the word “systemic” while talking about consumerism, but isn’t there validity to the totality in which all of us affect all of us when it comes to consumerism? No, we don’t all play equal parts. But we all play. And, we all pay the consequences.
In other social issues we all play at least some part...unless you live on an island in total isolation. But it’s very difficult for us to own up to our part, or even buying into the We Problem concept. But to me it’s like traffic. In a traffic jam there can in some instances be a specific cause and fault assignment. At other times it’s a matter of too many of us on the road at the same time, not just one or two people’s fault. But we’re all stuck in traffic if we’re trying to get somewhere. While I’m impatient with the guy in front of me, it’s not solely his fault. The guy behind me is impatient with me. But it’s not solely my fault. And I’m not even worried about the guy behind me...until he honks his horn.. See, it’s not so much that we’re stuck in traffic. We are traffic. It’s a we problem, even when it’s created by a stalled vehicle miles in front. I didn’t cause that stall. Ok, I was the stall one time when the electrical components of my car just stopped working on the interstate in the middle of rush hour. So yes, that one time I was the guy the traffic reporter called out for the problem area on the evening commute. Ok, and one other time when someone changed lanes and totaled my car. Not my fault, but it became a me problem in a flash which turned into a we problem for all those other commuters. A longer term problem for me. And a different level problem for the driver that caused the accident. But we were all in traffic together..for an extended period of time.
Such is life. We’re all in it together. We all contribute little or much to the mess of good or the mess of bad we find ourselves in. We all have a footprint literally and figuratively. Sometimes it’s a footprint of influence. If someone could scan an infra red type of image that captured our influence imprint...would our foot be kicking someone down? Or rushing to help someone up? Something I have to think about regularly. I know both types of images could be captured at various times in my life when it comes to influence.
Ok, so what does any of this have to do with freedom? We value freedom in this country. I love freedom. I think that’s something we have in common as Americans. We love freedom. But honestly, I’m not always thrilled with how others express their free will. Free will conjures up some pretty disturbing events. Free will flies planes into buildings. Free will loots and vandalizes. Free will outside the parameters of freedoms established by our constitution and our established governing powers, well that’s pandemonium. No one is above that. One’s free will may act outside those parameters, but in a good and right justice system, that pandemonium doesn’t last. And the great thing about our country is that no one ..no one is above that. No one. And that’s the country I want to live in.
I want a country where I’m free to live my world view. And others are free to live theirs. And we both adhere to the outlined freedoms established in our country. And the equity issue applies to all of us. No one above. No one below. That’s not communism. That’s not socialism. I want our system of government to work equally for all of us. That’s equal opportunity and equal justice for all. I want that for all. Who wouldn’t?
Free market? Yes. Capitalism? Yes. Do we need structure and regulation? Yes, if they don’t adhere to equal opportunity. But here’s something that cannot be regulated and enforced. Compassion. How do you measure compassion of an employer? How do you measure compassion of a government? How do you measure your own compassion as it relates to your fellow man? That’s a difficult call. We can’t force compassion. But I’m thinking we could use more of it. Can’t really regulate it. When it comes to giving compassion on an individual level we can give it grudgingly or willingly. I get to make that choice. That’s a me problem. And I get to exercise my free will in that determination.
