Moral Courage

        Thomas Paine’s observation rings true, but more so to the consequence of self-interest as reason for a social contract.

        “Some writers have so confounded society with government, as to leave little or no distinction between them; whereas they are not only different, but have different origins.  Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness; the former promotes our happiness positively by uniting our affection, the latter negatively by restraining our vices.  The one encourages intercourse, the other creates distinctions.  The first is a patron, the last a punisher.’

        What about a society that has abdicated its ownership, (accountability)?  Yes, abandoned it to the punishing methods of a negligent, often inattentive, overly indulgent shortsighted parent, (government/ authority apparatus), whose need to obtain approval and forgiveness for past excesses and slights outweighs any semblance of useful mature guidance, (dare I say leadership?). 

   What is absent in this solution to avoid responsibility is moral courage.  Moral courage is born from personal integrity absent of fear of disapproval.  Moral courage is doing what is ethically and morally in accordance with social and personal values. Revealed in the absence of moral courage is this driving, oppressive need for a substitute.  Perhaps that’s why the entertainment industry is not suffering in this current economic downturn. That is the huge deception we are being sold; to accept some reasonable facsimile to authenticity. Not where peace is the presence of freedom, but a purchased avoidance. Self-centered thinking would advocate an escape from undesired consequences to short sighted gains. Such thinking reinforces a hysterical delusion of isolation, neediness for deserving, and a general lack induced unworthy- afflictions.

Short interpretation:  Speak plain, be fair, and helpful to those we wish join us.

Abandon the necessity to threaten, coerce or punish.  Instead, encourage agreement for those who would wish to become contributing members of a society of interdependent citizens. Then make it accessible, in order to reinvigorate the spoken, American ideal.