A few days ago I received a Hillsdale College (my alma mater) monthly publication called Imprimis in the mail. I generally read the title of the one article and throw it out. This month’s title, however, caught my attention: “Is Canada’s Economy A Model for America?” Hmmmm. Given that one of the hot items for the 2008 U.S. elections is a Canadian import (nationalized health care), I’ve been paying more attention to that issue within Canada itself (in the news, in blogs, online, etc).
I’ve also spent the past several months trying very hard to talk myself in to voting for Obama if he is on the ticket in November. I just can’t seem to get myself to do it, but I also couldn’t come up with a good reason for being a conservative Republican. I know deep down I have reasons, but I’d forgotten. This Imprimis article reminded me why.
It comes down to this question: do collective rights outweigh individual rights? A Democrat (and Canada) would say yes. It is our duty as a nation and a government to provide for “the people” at large. The more money you make, the more of a duty you have to provide for the collective. A Republican would say no. If you leave individuals alone, they will do what is right, which is to help out your neighbor when he is in trouble. And if you choose NOT to help, that is your business.
I believe individual rights outweigh collective rights. I believe that big governments are corrupt, overworked, and easily abused. I believe that while the human soul may be depraved because of sin, that left alone many (if not most) people do the right thing. I do not want to pay taxes that will be used to give an illegal immigrant (or a person fully capable of working, but who refuses to do so) free health care, free education, free food, and free housing. I can tell you dozens of stories of people I know who abuse the system. I can tell you one story of someone I know who used the system to get on her feet and then got out of it! I want the government to work for me – I don’t want to work for the government. I'm OK with some government programs designed to help. I'm not OK with many government programs designed to help.
I am a Republican. I am proud of it. I just needed a little reminder why.
P.S. The picture is for those of you who prefer my pictures to my politics!
Saturday, January 26, 2008
I am a Repblican!
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Right on sista!
Great picture:)
When I worked with the social work department in Scotland, I was struck by how government benefits did seem to make people "stuck." There were people stuck in their flats, wanting to be useful and socialize, but they coudn't bring in too much income or their income suppor/housing benefits, etc. would be jeopardized.
On the other hand, the danger with placing the individual rights before collective rights is that too many people will fall through the cracks. And the whole society suffers when too many people lack homes, healthcare, and enough to eat. When you look at charts showing which countries have the highest quality of life/highest happiness ratings, it tends to be countries like those in Scandinavia, with more of a collective mindset.
I see the fear of losing people in the cracks...but if the body of Christ actually LOVED God and DID what the Bible said to do...NO ONE would fall between the cracks.
Instead...the government can take my money and help 15 yr. old high school drops outs get abortions. I'd prefer to keep my money and use it as God intended...
That would be great Karin! I just worry that it's idealistic. Then again, maybe the church would be more motivated to be like Jesus if they saw more people falling through the cracks. Maybe now they just figure the government will take care of it? It would be interesting to see what the Christians in countries that emphasize collective rights would say.
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