Conservatives can’t seem to understand this little point.
They’re always talking about “freedom,” however they never seem to consider that what they call “freedom” often has a negative effect on someone else. You do not have the right to endanger someone else with your “freedom.”
Your right to throw punches ends where the other guy’s nose begins. I might point out that this is the strongest argument the so-called pro-life folks have. If you can establish that a fetus has rights, then an abortion clearly violates this principle.
Another obvious example of this is Christians constantly trying to enforce their superstitions or morality on those of us that think they’re laughable. Constructing crosses on government land, school prayer and posting of the Ten Commandments are examples of this. So, to my mind, are “In God we Trust” and “…under God” in the pledge.
But there are other situations as well.
Conservatives arguing that the government shouldn’t regulate business or environmental standards because it violates “freedom” is a crock. As long as that “freedom” has the potential to harm me or mine you better damn well know the government can regulate it.
I feel the same way about guns. I saw a TV documentary showing a room of gun supporters nodding in agreement with some fool talking about how gun education wasn’t necessary. According to this bozo, all you need to know is where the bullet comes out. The number of people accidentally killed by firearms every year gives the lie to this position.
Guns are dangerous. So dangerous that I’d prefer it if 95% of the people who have them didn’t. Ignorance or stupidity coupled with a firearm is a really bad combination. A bad combination that endangers other people.
Like I’ve said previously, you can have all the guns you want, I’ll just regulate the bullets. I’d have no problem if the only people the gun whackos can accidentally shoot are other gun whackos.
The bottom line is that Conservatives, and especially Evangelical Christians, need to get over themselves. Your freedom, your morality and your rights, end where the where the other guy’s begin and that includes being safe from your stupidity.
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1 comment:
I am a firm believer in this concept. That said, I do see a problem with your arguments following it.
As you stated, "Your right to throw punches ends where the other guy’s nose begins."
Yet you then proceed to state the following: "Like I’ve said previously, you can have all the guns you want, I’ll just regulate the bullets."
These two concepts are not in harmony. From your first statement, the logic follows that my right to shoot a bullet ends where that bullet contacts you. Therefore, the obvious course of action is to create law that punishes the action of shooting someone, not creating law that prevents all individuals from obtaining bullets.
Your logic punishes everyone for the actions of individuals.
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