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From the Voters Guide: Liberty

by Michelle Lasley

Michelle Lasley is a mother, wife in Pacific Northwest learning to balance green dreams with budget realities.

September 23, 2008

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Categories: The Balancing Act

“Liberty of any kind is never lost all at once.” David Hume

What does it mean when we sacrifice a lot of liberty for the sake of a little security, pondered Franklin and Jefferson. What does a society look like when we agree to limit our choices? What choices do we have on this planet, in this country, in our states and neighborhoods? We are all blessed with freedom of choice, the ability to choose to make our own decisions and forge our own path. So, what does it mean when we let others make those choices for us and what does it look like?

If we value the choices we have, like going to whatever grocery store we choose to purchase our weekly goods, then our votes should reflect that. We should be electing candidates into office who also value the importance of choice. Individuals should be able to choose for themselves as long as their choices don’t hinge upon the rights of others.

“There can be no assumption that today’s majority is ‘right’ and the Amish and others like them are ‘wrong’. A way of life that is odd or even erratic but interferes with no rights or interests of others is not to be condemned because it is different.” Warren E. Burger

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