Of course, it
depends on how you define “luxury” but there are some fundamentals that we
accept without a thought although they are, in fact, luxuries.
I’m speaking
about freedom, democracy, human rights and all those other aspect so often
ignored and forgotten (until we do not have them, and then wonder where they
have gone) but are the cornerstones of
our lives. But, if I may be an “anti-thinker” for a moment – can we afford them? Many would say that in the
current global state, these “luxuries” are not viable and we should move
towards “benevolent dictatorship”
which to me is one step beyond being ruled by technocrats.
I can't answer for you, wherever you live but can only speak for myself. Even in these days of doom and gloom mankind has faced worse problems and overcome them; thus my answer must be "if you lose these basics, they will never return - they are beyond price". No matter how tough the times are, we must never, ever lose sight of the "stars" even though our feet may be in the mud.
Taking the
unspoken luxuries as a “norm” is perhaps the only way in which the average
human can operate; I can’t. I need to remind myself very often that I am indeed
fortunate not only to be “here” but also to have the freedom, the ability, the
education and free-will to write as I do. If I didn’t have these luxuries
nobody would hear my plea, I would not be either able or allowed to voice
opinions as I do. Thus, I count myself as more than fortunate in having the
basic human right of expression – so many do not.
What is a
country for, if not to
provide its citizens with such “basic luxuries”? Is it merely for the sake of a
small select group to the detriment of the many? Who has given the “few” the
right to make that choice? Where are the necessary checks and balances within
the system or have they been hijacked and bastardised?
I use the term
“basic luxuries” which may sound oxymoronic but it’s not. It is only when these
are in place, accepted by all for the benefit of all that we can pursue our
other dreams – those that lift us to a higher plateau.
Until next time
(and expressing myself freely),
Peripatetic
Scribe
My God, P.S. what a change from the last article. And I am in complete agreement with your sentiments and this is something that will most certainly be on the school agenda - it is too good not to use to show young adults of what they have, how they must keep it and what happens if it is lost. Super and my gratitude.
ReplyDeleteMark NZ
From Germany - an excellent article which reminds everyone of us that we are responsible for a fragile gift that our parents and grandparents died for. I hope this gets a global reading, thank you
ReplyDeleteFrom your UK pensioner normally reading on Sunday! I have to admit I am now "hooked" on your blog. I am getting into the habit of having a glass (or three) of wine early evening and now I know you post on such a regular basis I can enjoy my wine whilst reading your blog! Seriously, you make excellent points - these " basics" are taken as normal and we don't think about them. Your great article shows we MUST be able to afford them as the majority do not want to live under a "benevolent dictator". I shall happily introduce you to a wider UK audience. Thank you
ReplyDeleteMark thanks for your comment. Making young adults aware of what they have thanks to the efforts of those who have gone before is one of the most important lessons they can learn in my opinion. They may currently take things as normal but in this very strange world in which we live, there is no such think now as "normal"
ReplyDeleteThank you Germany. I hope there is still time to understand we need to fight to safeguard all those "basic luxuries" and to fight against "!dictatorship" of all kinds.
ReplyDeleteHi, Pensioner and thank you. I don't know what kind of wine you enjoy but there is one (white) made on the Sharpham Estate near Dartmouth that is exquisite (but not cheap). I agree that the majority don't want dictatorship, but convincing the "sheep" to move their collectives asses and DO something to ensure their luxuries are not lost is a hard ask since (being sheep) they prefer to put their heads down and carry on as they are.....delighted if you will pass this around; thank you.
ReplyDeleteHello Peripatetic Scribe. I writer again from Ankara and this is helping me a lot and I thank you. As a secular society I think we put big value on these "basics" and they are deep inside us so we can never forget. Thank you for great English
ReplyDeleteHello Ankara and my thanks for coming back to read another article. Although I know little of the deeper parts of Turkish society I think that in Ankara you are fortunate to come into contact with a wider number of foreign people, especially diplomats. I believe this experience helps to understand the "basics" you are lucky to have. Thanks for the comment on the English - I try my best!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with every word you say, P.S. I will certainly spread the word in my circle of friends and acquaintances! People in Croatia need to be constantly reminded of such "basic luxuries" particularly within difficult times we are currently facing.
ReplyDeleteThank you
Lucana
Thanks, Lucana. I think in tough times we all need to be reminded that if we lose the "basics" we lose more than we imagine. Taking these hard-won luxuries for granted, we often lose sight of the bigger picture. And as I said, what is a country "for" if not to provide us with these "luxuries".
ReplyDeleteA late comment from Atlanta: not only do you have a "way with words" you also speak huge truths. I think the vast majority of USA have forgotten the tenets and lessons from our Founding Fathers, we have politicos who prefer in-fighting to caring for the country and no cohesive policies to pull us out of this mess. You have used the phrase "shrinking thinking class" in the past - well, if it's happening in Europe I would say the US is FAR in advance - we have a very small band of thinkers! Thanks for the super post.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words, Atlanta. I concur with your assessment about the shrinking, thinking class and quite honestly I can see no real exit from this generalised "dumbing down". All I can say is that those of us who remain in this small enclave have to use superhuman efforts at our disposal to a) not become similarly infected and b) try to show as many others as possible how to think!
ReplyDelete