FREEDOM
Are we really free? I'm not referring to the freedoms that we all have in America that are inscribed in our constitution where it spells out America's rights in relation to their government. Where it guarantees civil rights and liberties to individuals-like freedom of speech, press, and religion. Where it sets rules for due process of law and reserves all powers not delegated to the Federal Government to the people or the States. These aforementioned freedoms should be a no brainer. Although, based on what has been recently going on in our country with all the violent riots and the polarization of our political system, some may question whether we truly have the aforementioned freedoms. But, this isn't the type of freedoms this article is about. Before I start today's article I want to make a few disclosures. I understand that we all live as part of a society. This writing and all my previous writings are to give the reader food for thought. I enjoy stimulating the thought process and thinking outside the box. I am not a rebel or in any way do I oppose our government. I love America! I believe America is the greatest country on earth. I am not saying America is perfect but, one of the attributes that makes it the greatest country on earth is that we continue to strive to make it better in all aspects of life. So back to my original question, are we really free?
I was in court not too long ago in downtown Columbus representing a client. It was a Saturday arraignment for a client that was arrested on a previous Thursday. Usually on a Saturday, the area around the court is pretty quiet compared to a weekday. So, I walked to the corner to cross the street to get to where my car was parked and the light was red. There were a total of seven individuals including myself waiting for the light to turn green. I know this corner very well and I know that it will take 3-5 minutes for the light to turn green. It didn't appear that the people in government, in charge of the traffic lights, made any adjustments on the timers to differentiate between weekdays, when it is very busy and the weekends where you can play a volleyball match at this particular intersection because there's almost no traffic. So, I looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear and I decided to cross the street while the light was red. I should also mention that myself and the other pedestrians were all wearing face masks because it's a government requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently affecting out country. So, I started thinking, and asking myself the question I started this article with - are we really free?
The answer to my question unfortunately is that we are not free. It may seem that we are but, we aren't. Every aspect of our lives are regulated, from the clothing we wear to the food we eat to the price we pay for goods and services. It is all regulated and dictated by government or private corporations or society. Although, if you really break it down, it all goes back to government. The price you pay for the admission to a movie is dictated by government is it not? Government regulates the type of movies certain ages can see, do they not? Government dictates how a movie is rated, do they not? Government takes a piece of the admission price the public pays, do they not? Government approves and regulates the food we eat, do they not? Why can I not cross the street when the light is red, when there is absolutely no traffic? Why can I not assume the risk of not wearing a mask in public if I want to? Even "alleged," inalienable, god given rights, that are said to be those rights that could not be surrendered by citizens to the sovereign, that are natural rights, are not really absolute because government can suspend them in the name of a public interest, can they not? I guarantee you that a church can not have services at 3 in the morning if they wanted to without government permission. These are just a few examples to give the reader something to think about. As I said before, we live in a society of laws, and we must follow the laws; however, excessive restrictions and government over reach are contrary to the laws of nature. We are all spiritual beings. This is undisputed. There is a deeper component than just our physical presence. Our bodies are akin to a rental car. We are in them temporarily to navigate through life. The purpose of our existence is to be free to grow and create. Now, government regulations are not excuses to give up. We can all still grow and create. Death will eventually free us from all the aforementioned restraints but we have an obligation while we are here at this time to continue to grow and create. Therefore, use your god given powers to do your part to make this world a better place. I leave you with a quote by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a stoic philosopher.
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."
Just a thought.
I was in court not too long ago in downtown Columbus representing a client. It was a Saturday arraignment for a client that was arrested on a previous Thursday. Usually on a Saturday, the area around the court is pretty quiet compared to a weekday. So, I walked to the corner to cross the street to get to where my car was parked and the light was red. There were a total of seven individuals including myself waiting for the light to turn green. I know this corner very well and I know that it will take 3-5 minutes for the light to turn green. It didn't appear that the people in government, in charge of the traffic lights, made any adjustments on the timers to differentiate between weekdays, when it is very busy and the weekends where you can play a volleyball match at this particular intersection because there's almost no traffic. So, I looked both ways to make sure the coast was clear and I decided to cross the street while the light was red. I should also mention that myself and the other pedestrians were all wearing face masks because it's a government requirement due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is currently affecting out country. So, I started thinking, and asking myself the question I started this article with - are we really free?
The answer to my question unfortunately is that we are not free. It may seem that we are but, we aren't. Every aspect of our lives are regulated, from the clothing we wear to the food we eat to the price we pay for goods and services. It is all regulated and dictated by government or private corporations or society. Although, if you really break it down, it all goes back to government. The price you pay for the admission to a movie is dictated by government is it not? Government regulates the type of movies certain ages can see, do they not? Government dictates how a movie is rated, do they not? Government takes a piece of the admission price the public pays, do they not? Government approves and regulates the food we eat, do they not? Why can I not cross the street when the light is red, when there is absolutely no traffic? Why can I not assume the risk of not wearing a mask in public if I want to? Even "alleged," inalienable, god given rights, that are said to be those rights that could not be surrendered by citizens to the sovereign, that are natural rights, are not really absolute because government can suspend them in the name of a public interest, can they not? I guarantee you that a church can not have services at 3 in the morning if they wanted to without government permission. These are just a few examples to give the reader something to think about. As I said before, we live in a society of laws, and we must follow the laws; however, excessive restrictions and government over reach are contrary to the laws of nature. We are all spiritual beings. This is undisputed. There is a deeper component than just our physical presence. Our bodies are akin to a rental car. We are in them temporarily to navigate through life. The purpose of our existence is to be free to grow and create. Now, government regulations are not excuses to give up. We can all still grow and create. Death will eventually free us from all the aforementioned restraints but we have an obligation while we are here at this time to continue to grow and create. Therefore, use your god given powers to do your part to make this world a better place. I leave you with a quote by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a stoic philosopher.
"When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive-to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love."
Just a thought.