Everyone loves freedom. People like to be able to make their own choices. People don't like bosses, or schedules or obligations. Freedom from responsibility is a great freedom as well.
Everyone loves security. People like to know that they have enough food. People like to know that they have a place to live. People like to know that things are taken care of. People don't like the insecurity of nasty surprises.
But, here's the rub: the more freedom you have, the less security to you have and the more security you have the less freedom you have. In government, in our professional lives, in our personal lives we all make that trade off between freedom and security. Do you want a paycheck? That probably means you have obligations.
At one extreme the homeless man has total freedom. He is free from responsibility, but he has total freedom from obligations of any kind.
So the question is: do convicts seek out the security of prison because they fear the dangers of freedom? A man in prison is well-assured of the basic needs of life. In exchange, the convict has given away his freedom for security.
For myself, I like the freedom and the exhilaration that comes with the fear and risk that one bears when you are in business for yourself. I like the security of marriage in exchange for the obligations of marriage. How much power do you want your government to have? How much freedom do you want in your life? How much security do you need?
 |
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County. |
"I am from the government and I am here to help".
very interesting post and i agree with you. Having freedom means you have the comfort to designate your "responsiblities"
as human beings we all want the feeling of both certainty and uncertainty
There are those who say we must choose between the two. I say we should have both.
The way I see it, there's only so much government interference with freedoms a person can take. It is completely possible to have a good balance of both, but that comes down to having well informed voters when election time rolls around.... which can be a problem sometimes.
Will - we should err on the side of freedom, this country would not have developed, or even came about, if people put security in front of freedom.
Mike, I have personally chosen to err on the side of freedom, but I want to give others the freedom to err on the side of security.
But I'm not just talking about the government --- I'm talking about our life's choices.