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People need to adapt to a changing world

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Editor,

In his letter (1-2-19), Scott Kerr stated ideas regarding governments that deserve examination. First, he states that laws/ governments are born from divine/supernatural causes. This concept can easily be shown to be flawed and is rapidly declining as humans advance in understandings.

Second, he offers that a government is obligated to punish evil – such as theft. However, “evil” is not so easily defined. If a mother steals a loaf of bread to save her starving child - is that evil? According to Kerr, yes – because it violates one of the supernatural edicts to which he subscribes. Many will disagree.

The term, “evil,” is a derivation from such internal thoughts as, “ I disagree” or “I don’t want.” These are personal human judgments – hardly supernatural. Labeling “evil” is a handy way to camouflage your own personal desire/intent.

Third, Kerr speaks of “legal plunder” (theft) as a government choosing by law to share resources among the population (bread shared with starving constituents). He bases his decisions upon a rigid interpretation of “the right of property.” Guess who designed the original concepts describing “property ownership” – powerful self-proclaimed self-protecting rulers/owners.

Another view might be that none of us really own anything. Each person is temporarily borrowing the Earth’s resources (land, food, energy) until death. Then – “poof ” – none of that is in your power or possession. The concept of “I own this” is a convenient myth perpetuated by generations of humans who have struggled to survive – just as do mice and elephants.

Where did these “concepts and laws” come from? They have evolved over tens of thousands of years. As humans began congregating (couples, tribes, nations) many experiments have come and gone: sometimes just kill the opponent, sometimes capitulate and sometimes cooperate. Today’s world civilizations represent diverse possibilities – and still evolving.

Kerr implies that he knows the “proper role of government.” I doubt that. Now that the Earth is filling up, the “ownership” concept is changing. Many now consider “ownership” to include future generations – not just us. Laws should evolve to meet changing conditions and understandings – environmental and societal. We must be willing to adapt.

Gene Johnson
Polson

 

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