In a message dated 12/13/99 10:40:50 AM Central Standard Time,
Trickster@postmark.net writes:
<< But look at the social welfare state in America. This came about
because noble people wanted to "ease the suffering." We now have a
system that doesn't work, encourages dependency and children who grow
up 'expecting' to be on welfare when they are older.
The same thing happens when we solve other's problems. NOTE: I AM
NOT SAYING WE SHOULD NEVER HELP ANOTHER PERSON - but change does come
from within - within THAT PERSON. To impose our belief on another
(and this is where the force of law argument came in) IS WRONG. To
help another see a different view which may benefit them - that seems
moral enough, but it's that attempt to force people to comply that
messes us up. America will never olve its crime problem as long as it
think it can legislate morality. >>
David, your initial reaction to the changes I suggest is the typical initial
reaction, and a big part of the problem. I talk about helping people, and
immediately you think of welfare and other such laws. I've been consistent in
my posts about a few things, and one of those things is that laws are not the
answer and should not even be *considered* as a method of solving our
problems. I don't think it's fair or logical to compare the changes I suggest
to laws of the past, because they are two totally different animals. But many
can't seem to grasp this concept. Perhaps because it's a way of thinking that
hasn't ever been seriously considered before; I'm talking about a very deep
value adjustment, a way of looking at things from a totally different angle.
But whenever change such as this is suggested, red flags immediately shoot
up, such as "that would be imposing your beliefs on others!" I guess the
cultural immune system Pirsig talks about is partially to blame for this.
So many people say "follow your heart" and "do what you want." But they don't
want to deeply consider *why* they want to do what they do, or the goodness
of it beyond social acceptance. Perhaps because they're scared of the answers
they may find.
Jon
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