Tuesday, October 24, 2006

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The Republicans are big on 'personal responsibility." But, I've noticed that
this tends to come into play mostly when it involves paying pensions, social
security, workman's comp, union representation and welfare. In other words,
the things that, as a society, we do to take care of each other. For example the actions that Jesus said would separate the sheep from the goats. See Matthew 25:31-46. While I’m not really big on the last judgment bit, many faiths stress some aspect of caring for the least among us. The Golden Rule, Karma, the Five Pillars of Faith in Islam includes charity, and on and on. And unfortunately there is also the other side of the coin. Sometimes I’m afraid that coin isn’t worth a plugged nickel.

I don't hear personal responsibility stressed nearly as often when it
involves:

Gaming the system a la Enron to jack up prices and rip off the consumers.

Cleaning up the pollution your company leaves behind. Somehow that ends up
getting done on the taxpayer's dime, if it gets done at all.

Valuing the natural world for what we can extract from it and attach a price
tag. In other words a tree is only valuable if it can be cut, milled and
sold. The value that a dead tree has as habitat, fertilizer for the next
generation and as a food source for the organisms that break it down can't
be entered on a balance sheet and therefore doesn't exist.

Valuing the necessities for survival; food, clean water and clean air as
commodities. Again with a price tag attached and if you can't pay tough
luck.

Valuing health as a commodity. Yes it costs money to treat the sick. But,
again, if you don't have the money, you're out of luck. And since more can
be charged for medications for chronic conditions than for antibiotics and
vaccines, these become the priority for research.

Continuing to advertise and sell products that you know are harmful. Certain
drugs pulled off the market in the last few years spring to mind. Knowing
there's a problem, but hoping to get some of the investment back before
anyone catches on.

Lying to gain and keep political power.

 

I’d rather see the Ten Commandments engraved on the hearts of those who claim to follow them than hanging on a wall collecting dust.

 

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I think my lack of religion has made me think MORE about my personal responsibilty. Religion, in my opinion (which is only worth something around my own home, I know), tends to put up barriers between people. Living on this planet right here and right now makes me want to "do the right thing" more than any "commandment" ever could. (Plus I really like goats and don't much care for sheep.)
:)Peace,
Cin

Anonymous said...

Hush, Sweatheart.  We are aware of your concerns.  Unfortunately, you 'voters' don't seem to know what's best for you...along with the wounded soldiers returning to this great country with missing legs, arms, faces.  Let us handle it for you.  Go back to watching Fox News (it's fair and balanced!!) while we make everything better.  Hush.  Sleep.  See how nice it feels to be ignorant like most of America???  

Enron

Anonymous said...

Weren't the ten commandments supposed to be replaced with the "Love one another, as I have loved you."

If we all loved each other....

Anonymous said...

In the world of the elephant, personal responsibility is only for OTHER persons...  Lisa  :-]