“Marijuana is a gateway drug.”
“Marriage is between one man, one woman.”
“Bars, strip clubs, casinos and cigarette companies should pay higher taxes.”
All of the above are examples of “affirmative-action” statements. That is, they are statements that deal not with individual rights and justice, but instead, deal with society as a whole. The well-meaning misguided who make these statements are concerned with what is called “the greater good.”
And what is so wrong with that? After all, the Bible calls us to love our neighbors as ourselves and the Constitution speaks of the “general welfare.” Shouldn’t we, as good citizens, be concerned about our community? Of course.
The danger is when we begin to legislate ways to create the society we envision — Prohibition anyone? Walking an old lady across the street is admirable, but how many of us would point a gun at someone’s head and force him to take her hand?
Government “affirmative action” is that gun.
To further illustrate this point, it’s important to understand what government is. Government is force. It is nothing more than group of individuals with designated powers created to protect us from the school-yard bullies. More eloquently put, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”
It follows that the only just usage of government (force) against our fellow man is a negative one; after an individual has infringed upon our natural rights. Using government as a positive and preemptive tool is not only dangerous, it’s wrong.
Government rightly only has the power to do what we as individuals already have the right to do.
Jessica Schreindl was Opinion Page editor for The Chart, Missouri Southern State University’s newspaper. Her blog, “Redheaded Politics” can be read on the Globe’s Web site, www.joplinglobe.com.
Opinion
Guest columnist: Danger exists in legislating society
- Opinion
-
-
Our View: Santorum's Achilles' ear
Rick Santorum knocked everyone for a loop this week, not just with his victory in Missouri but with the landslide size of the thing.
-
Our View: Are school loans next 'debt bomb'?
The late American middle class struggled for decades to keep pace with an American dream slipping from its grasp.
-
Our View: A better way of limit terms
A Missouri House committee on Tuesday endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow lawmakers to serve 16 years in the state Legislature, either the House or the Senate.
-
Your View: Is it our fault?
When did coveting things and money take over character? What happened?
-
Your View: No way to run a school
All throughout the state of Missouri, you’ll hear much discussion about teacher tenure and the indefinite contracts that go along with that. Most — if not nearly all — jobs in the private and public sectors have no such career protection.
-
Your View: Prime suspects
If it’s too cool in the house, you can turn up the heat if you think you can afford it.
-
Our View: Worldwide concern
There is growing concern worldwide that Israel might launch an attack on Iranian nuclear plants.
-
Other Views: FAA deal up in air five years
The Federal Aviation Administration bill was delayed 23 times, but the agency finally has a law giving it $63 billion and full operating authority for the next four years.
-
Don Ray, columnist: Obama's pipeline excuse an election-year cop-out
On Jan. 18, President Barack Obama announced he was rejecting the Keystone XL pipeline project — a project that had its beginnings some 40 months ago (September 2008).
-
James Whitford, guest columnist: Broken people or broken system?
Are the people broken or is the system broken? If you walk into Watered Gardens, our rescue mission, it may seem the people are broken. But it’s a rescue mission. It just feels that way. And sometimes, it just looks that way.
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
