Posted by mushrooms on Nov 24, 2008 in Main
Freedom in America is being interpreted as freedom from responsibility to others. I am offering the following Bill of Rights, where Rights refers to the right actions we should all strive for.
Bill of Rights
- Accept responsibility for your health. Don’t expect the medical community to compensate for your poor health habits, such as poor diet choices, an inactive lifestyle, failure to maintain a healthy weight. Don’t expect the insurance company to pay for your choices either.
- Avoid known hazards. Cigarettes, alcohol, drugs - both prescription and other, have documented risks. It is your responsibility to avoid them. If you need help, get it.
- Gambling is just a different word for losing.
- Respect life.
- Accept responsibility for your finances. If you can’t afford food, you shouldn’t be spending money on cable TV. If you are struggling to clothe your children, you should not spend money on a cell phone. Electronic music players, high-speed Internet, expensive sneakers, over-priced brand-name clothing are luxuries, not necessities.
- Accept responsibility for your impact on the environment. Don’t drive your car if you don’t have to. Combine errands. Buy only as much vehicle as you need to safely transport your family. Use a fuel-efficient vehicle for small trips. Reduce, buy only that which you truly need, and consider packaging when shopping. Reuse, purchase used objects if possible and practical. Recycle. Don’t litter.
- Appreciate the fact you can get in a car, drive to a job, and get paid. Many people can’t. Be quiet in traffic, even if you aren’t patient. Write letters or notes on paper, think, draw. Adjust your commute to avoid things that frustrate you, don’t take the frustrations out on those around you.
- Care for your parents when they need you. They cared for you.
- Remember that you are part of a complex society where everyone, from the person that picks up litter to the CEO of major corporations makes a contribution. Work to be good to all.
- Be honest and follow the laws and rules. They are there for everyone. Pay your taxes.
- Never forget the people that fought and suffered for the freedom we have today. Honor their contribution by behaving well in their memory. Look for ways to help others.
- Be good to animals. They are just different people.
- Freedom of religion doesn’t mean every religion has to be recognized. It means they must be respected. If one religion displays something, other religions should have the opportunity to do the same, but they should not insist that other displays be removed.
- Contribute to the less fortunate as often as possible. Support coat drives, food drives, and other charitable events.
- Accept responsibility for your kids. The schools are there to teach them. They are not there to teach them values, that’s your job. Schools should not have to teach basic human courtesy and behavior, that’s your job. Schools should not have to force students to do the work, parents must instill an appreciation of the value of education, so children study and behave because they know it is important. Students must respect the authority of the adults in the schools, for the good of the entire school community.
For those who strive to follow these, I commend you.
* I do understand there are times you simply can’t do everything as you would like, or the options are not available. In that case, one must do their best and should feel good about it.