We Americans seem rather confused over what “liberty” means. One could easily run down the list of Constitutional Rights and see how individuals and groups claim those rights but deny them to their opposition. That is not liberty. That is not freedom. That is suppression.
I am not sure where we exited the path of freedom, but we are dangerously lost.
Liberty comes with consequences. It is the consequences that will ultimately drive our behaviors. Behavior cannot be effectively driven by legislation—that is control. Likewise, behavior cannot be changed by verbally or physically attacking an individual. We change behavior by example and by allowing consequences to have their effect.
The other day, my wife asked me what I would do to curb the obesity problem in the United States. Well, I wouldn’t attempt to legislate. That won’t work. I would do more to promote healthy lifestyles. I would return physical education to our schools. (I am not a fan of standardized testing, but I do believe in standards. Physical well-being is equally as important as academic performance.) I would work to educate people on healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle (this could begin with doctors being educated on diet and exercise so that these are prescribed before pharmaceuticals). I would eliminate “food deserts” and assure that all Americans had access to quality healthy foods. (This would include changes to current food subsidy practices—from how assistance is distributed to what is distributed. I am always bothered by the poor-quality goods that are distributed by food pantries to persons in need, e.g., cheap white bread. It seems we are only willing to donate that which we won’t eat. Everyone should be afforded the opportunity to prepare healthy foods. Therefore, provide them with whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables, rice, beans, and the basic staples to put together inexpensive meals that are based on a healthy macro balance. I would better subsidize school lunch programs. I would demand cities rethink urban planning to facilitate movement and healthy lifestyles. I would allow for consequences for being unhealthy. I would allow healthcare to be more costly for those who (based on lifestyle choices) are a drain on the system. I would reward those who take a preventative approach to their health. I would reward communities and businesses that promote preventative health—technically, they would reward themselves by the positive outcomes this would bring. I would select an exercise scientist as Chair of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition—instead of a celebrity—and add some weight to the position. I would return the President’s Physical Fitness Award with some revision to the testing. I would promote fit communities.
Liberty isn’t a free-for-all, per se. It is access to the Commons (refer to Garrett Hardin’s “The Tragedy of the Commons”) with the right incentives to care for the Commons. Liberty is not the rights on one group over another. Liberty is “being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views” (Oxford Dictionary). This freedom, however, does not permit the consequence of one’s way of life, behavior, or political views to impose a burden on others.
I desire a healthy community. I support health care that is affordable and accessible, but not a system that will enable poor health decisions because there is more profit to be made in the treatment of disease than the prevention of disease.
I desire a community that is free to make decisions—good or bad—but will make choices based on the overall welfare of the community. The right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should not come at the cost of another’s right to the same.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!