Re:Argh - can\'t think of a title !
People/Beings that we have to "answer" to:
1) Our Creator. Until I hear a compelling argument that the universe we live in was NOT created by some intelligent being, I will be respectful to the being that created me and the creation that surrounds me.
2) My parents. I didn't ask to be born, but my parents didn't exactly ask to give birth to me either. In any case, they did a pretty good job of raising me, and I owe them more than I can ever repay.
3) My brothers and sister. They supported me when my parents occasionally weren't doing such a good job, and they helped me to understand how to deal with other people about my age who didn't have the exact same interests as I had.
4) My friends. Too many reasons to state. Most importantly, helping me to maintain my sanity in a world that seems forever poised on the verge of mass psychosis.
5) The authorities. Personally I am a libertarian-leaning conservative and wish there were much less government than there is, but so be it. I can spend my time trying to "fight the power", but they seem to do a reasonably good job keeping the peace and maintaining the general order. Since they are elected, I have some say (however miniscule) in who it is that is telling me what to do.
6) Mankind in general. I owe my existence (in its particulars) to so many people that I will never ever see. Tonight I ate berries that probably came from Chile. I may never visit that country, but because some farmer took the time to grow those berries, I was able to eat delicious berries without having to go through all the trouble myself.
It is a wonderful fantasy to believe that you are an independent individual that depends on no one, a lone wolf or rugged individualist or a "cowboy". This is the great myth that despots such as Stalin like to sow among their sheep so that everyone is out for themselves (while spying on everyone else) so that it is very easy for the government to divide and ultimately conquer the nation.
Democracy depends on the interaction of small groups of people related by blood, sweat, and common ideals. These groups act as a buffer between the relatively powerless individual and the all-powerful state.
Despots always try to undermine or coopt these groups on their way toward total control. If enough people start deluding themselves into believing that they are truly independent individuals, then they will not fight the government when these important intervening social structures (e.g. families, unions, trade groups, clubs, etc.) are disbanded or taken over. Then it will be too late.
We will have traded face-to-face interdependence with faceless dependence on an uncaring, and despotic bureaucracy.
Take the time and thank someone tomorrow for something they did for you. You might begin by looking up at the beautiful sky (unless you live in L.A.) and thanking the Creator for not making it a sickening mauve or chartreuse color!
(nm)
