Kinsley High School
Kinsley, Kansas
Teacher: Dr. Galen Boehme
Aiding the Common Good
By Salena Strate
12th Grade
To determine the balance between individual liberty and the common good, we must consider the role of volunteering, of voicing an opinion, and of utilizing the available resources.
Individual responsibility involves defining such words as common good, balance, and compassion. Common good is utilizing all of our resources to help others. For me, common good takes primacy over self-interests. Balance is an equal measurement between two objects or principles. Compassion concerns a feeling of deep sympathy for one needing emotional understanding. The three terms rightfully come together in this discussion. When one discovers what the common good is and senses compassion for the distraught, then one feels responsible to help in a balanced way to improve the situation.
The problem I am dealing with today is the lack of volunteering among our local young people. The balance between volunteering and the unconcerned is becoming unequal. Teenagers in my community are using the resources and not helping to provide for them. About five years ago, a group of mothers met in an old hospital meeting room to express concerns about what their children were doing on the weekends. Their concerns led to the formation of a group called the E-team, which stands for providing and promoting entertainment for Edward’s County. I was a part of this first meeting. I represented the teenager’s view, but finding volunteers to help me with this vision is somewhat hard. Citizens of Edwards County always want us to provide more dances, movies, plays, but all of these forms of entertainment take money. We must work very hard at our fundraisers and must have the continued support of the community to keep providing at the level we do. We accomplish what we do because of volunteer efforts. Yet, many of my fellow peers have yet to capture the joy of volunteering.
My plan of action for promoting more volunteerism is to motivate teenagers into helping their community. Our goal is to show individual liberty and the concerns with the freedom to express. To motivate teenagers I would show the positive influence that volunteering has upon us. I must act as a positive role model to show the individuals the rewards of volunteering. The rewards of volunteering are created by a sense of understanding, helping others, and learning lessons of life. The rewards are not in dollar amounts but rather a sense of pride in helping the common good. I would offer to help individuals who want to start volunteering by introducing them to the E-team. I would ask students what they dream about Kinsley having. As we cannot provide every wish of the teenagers, because of our limited resources, we would try to help their visions. All it takes is for one person to have a dream with volunteers to make that dream a reality. Just like the E-team has evolved from concerned mothers to one of the most well-known groups in Kinsley, we started from a dream.
Second, individual liberty involves voicing my opinion on issues found in our community. My school newspaper, The Coyote Connection, is a good way to express my personal views. The editorial section of our newspaper is not very strong; I would like to improve that. Writing a strong editorial has always been a dream of mine. I need to take risks and become vulnerable to change and growth in my life. By writing an editorial, I would shed a new light where not much compassion is being given. Some of the topics I could have a strong voice on are the quality of school lunches, the inability for school officials to communicate with their students, and the importance of the class point system. By voicing my opinion, I could help others to think about my view and have compassion upon the distraught. Maybe positive efforts would be the start to change and help individuals. It is my responsibility to stand up for what I believe in by writing an editorial. Besides writing editorials there are other ways to voice my opinion. I need to become an active member of local government. By becoming involved with issues at the local level, I will be able to help the common good in my community.
Third, to help the common good we must use our resources. Even though most of our financial resources are limited, the people who volunteer their time and efforts are our best resources. Volunteers are always willing to go the extra mile to help. All projects need leaders who exhibit traits of commitment, organization, and caring. One example of individuals helping to meet a common goal is purchasing new curtains to protect an antique smoke screen at the local theater. This screen, if purchased, will serve as an important backdrop for many community functions at the theater. With our vision of preserving our heritage and by utilizing our common resources, we should be able to raise enough money to buy the curtains.
To [evaluate] my plan, we must look at the short-term goals. These short-term goals are involving more teenagers in the E-team, creating an editorial section of our school newspaper, and…purchasing the curtains. The long-term goals also have rewards that people value. By becoming leaders, teenagers will learn lessons for life. Teenagers must learn to work with others not only in sports, but in community involvement too. Each teenager that volunteers will have a deeper sense of community. These individuals will take their lessons learned by volunteering into the world and definitely strive to help the common good.
In conclusion, to determine the balance between individual liberty and the common good, we must consider the efforts of volunteers, the importance of actively being involved with legislative decisions, and making use of all available resources.
Answers To Questions Triggered by the Required Reading
Q1- Why does Machan use “steal” in his statement: “Private property solves this problem, but was abandoned a long time ago when taxes reached the point where we can steal our way to being provided with all sorts of things we desire, never mind thinking about paying for them or long-range budgeting.”?
Machan purposely uses the word “steal” to emphasize the emotional term. When “steal” is used in context, negative consequences always come to mind. If taxes have reached the point where we can steal our way to being provided for what we have always desired, then we must change our ways. We must incorporate our budgeting skills. We must decide the difference between fixed and flexible expenses. The snowballing effect of one person dipping into the “unending” pot of money has led anyone to think that America does not know how to control its spending. We should not be stealing from the government, because stealing is wrong. If there is a choice between doing what is right and wrong, we should always do what is right for the greater good. Our personal responsibility is to do anything possible to make this world a better place. How can we change if we are stealing from the government? Stealing from our government should not be in the mind of any American. We must learn to budget our money on an individual and on a national level.
Q2- Machan said: “For that which is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it.” Give two examples of this from your personal experience.
For many Americans "common" is a normal word that describes them, but what does God consider "common"? God loves everyone and judges everyone with a common view. In my personal experience, I have witnessed that our church can be packed Christmas Eve, but left almost empty on a Sunday in April. People know that they should attend church, but the fact is that everyone does not. Another example of predicted mass involvement but in reality little help existing is recycling. Our world's resources are consumed every day at a rapid rate. Recycling reminders are everywhere, but still my family does not recycle. For my family, it is easier to throw away everything than sorting through the recyclable products. The entire world should start recycling this very day, because we will still need these resources when they are gone. We as people share many common items, but not with the same degree of respect.
Q3- Do you agree with Machan that “…everybody is more inclined to neglect the duty which he expects another to fulfill; as in families many attendants are often less useful than a few.”? Give an objective example of this.
I agree with Machan that some
family members are often less useful than others. In
my own family, I always try to help my mother with her volunteering at the
Palace Theater. At the Palace, I pop the popcorn, wait on customers, and count
back change. My little sister never wants to help. She thinks the work is hard
and does not want to volunteer her time. I know next year that my mother will
be asking my sister for help, but my sister just does not have the maturity and
responsibility that I do. This is just one of the many examples on how my
sister is often less useful than I am. Machan’s words have merit along with
Aristotle’s quotes to make each one of us think about how individuals shape our
country, with their definition of “volunteering” and of “responsibility.”
Q4- State Kershner’s First Law. Do you agree or disagree and why?
Kershner’s First Law: “When a self governing people confer upon their government the power to take from some and give to others, the process will not stop until the last bone of the last taxpayer is picked bare.” I agree that Kershner’s idea is right when the government takes the responsibility of taxes upon itself completely; this process will end in such an abrupt way. Kershner says that the government has the power to take from some and give to others. The others Kershner implies could be the poor. The wealthy should have their money, but give to those less fortunate. Even though payment of taxes is an individual responsibility, we should help pay the taxes for our country’s greater good. The thinking that the tax paying process will not stop until the last taxpayer is dead is true. The government should use taxes to help people instead of using taxes to destroy.
Q5- What industry was the first to be taken over by government in both ancient Rome and the USA?
The first industry in Rome to be taken over was transportation-shipping. This was also the first industry in America to suffer, specifically, the railroads. The American government used this tactic to provide a uniform policy of control from coast to coast. Transportation relates to the distribution of goods and of people. The government certainly has the right idea about coming together to form one united country, but the scarcity should focus upon the spirit of the people. I commend the government for looking past other motives of taking over transportation and not upon the financial control of the people.
Q6- Is cheapened money the cause or the outcome of inflation? Explain.
A government that prints cheapened money is certainly feeding a nation to inflation. The cause of inflation mainly goes back to the thinking that individuals rely too much upon their government. If some of our people are in any trouble, we too frequently turn to the government for relief. The government provides the relief frequently by lowering the value of the dollar. This causes the cost of living to rise. Back in the 1950’s, we could buy a hamburger for $.50. Now, a quarter will hardly buy the bun. We, as the United States, are known for always spending excessive amounts of money. The government should pay close attention to the amount of money it is spending. It certainly would not want our country to end up with extreme inflation, which could lead to financial bankruptcy.
Q7- How did the Edict of 301 affect Rome’s economy?
The Edict of 301 established a system of comprehensive wage and price controls, to be enforced by a penalty of death. The law caused famine and Rome’s economy was destroyed. Diocletian was a man who wanted unlimited dictatorship. Also, he wanted the government to control everything. This in turn killed their society. Diocletian was a man that Rome wanted, but after a grace period they found out that Diocletian was a man of greed. After the blood was shed, Rome finally laid the law to rest.
Q8- Lee claimed that individuals could be “entirely independent of others” except for what? Explain.
The exception of independence from others falls into the connection among economics, politics, and liberty. The three main reasons why we would not be independent of others are scarcity, rules, and liberty. In our world today, individuals cannot provide their own resources to survive. We must interact with others to keep the quality of life moving forward. Since so much scarcity exists in our world, we must cooperate with other to produce our goods. Cooperation between two people will bring on competition. With competition rules must be set so the competition does not get out of hand. The government is the chief justice on the rules that we know today. The government must protect individuals their rights for liberty. The rules must include the right to have liberty. Independency is not solely independent from the world around us, but more of a state of mind that one feels a break between the attachments to society.
Q9- Describe the dilemma concerning rules as discussed by Lee.
The dilemma that concerns rules is that people have no motivation to be come productive when the rules are enforced. If one person is shouting rules and orders all day long, the public will eventually become tired of the dictatorship and overthrow this government. Rules are put into place to maintain order in the society, but if the rules are used wrong the problems that arise could be overpowering. The rules of private property must be exactly defined so all people can have equality. We must take the steps to providing rules that are equal and provide everyone’s rights with liberty. The challenge today is not only to solve this dilemma that concerns us today, but to provide rules that are equal for all.
Q10- Why is the concept of private property crucial to freedom?
The need for private property is crucial to freedom. Each individual needs to feel he owns his own property. The government certainly enforces rules and restrictions upon the idea of the use of private property. With each enforcement of rules, the government acts as a referee in maintaining a free and productive social order. It is crucial to freedom to prove responsibility on the owners. To promote a more honest communication among the society is a necessity in social order. An individual should promote pride in their ownership. Another point that is crucial to freedom really shows us how fragile our sense of freedom is.
Q11- Argue both pro and con that in his testimony Lawrence Reed was advocating compassion and aid for the poor.
Reed certainly has valid points when advocating compassion and aid for the poor. Compassion can come in many forms, but the most obvious way of relief is money. Some pros involve ethics, liberty, and spending. Should we always help the poor not knowing their circumstance? We should help the poor, for the common good and for our own conscience. Though we know that we cannot all be equal economically (Principle 1). We must focus upon the future principles of today by electing quality congressmen (Principle 6). Our programs must teach others how to spend money (Principle 5). Some of the cons for giving to the poor relate to income, freedom and disrepair. Often Americans get caught up on how much money we make. The gap is often too far between rich and poor. We should not try to compare equal to unequal people in the form of income (Principle 1). Concerning freedom aid becomes negative, when the public sells this individual rights to receive handouts (Principle 6). Concerning disrepair, when the public shows too much to the poor. The poor frequently becomes dependent and expects more compensation. Consequently, a sense of pride in personal belonging is never destroyed.
Q12- “If people are free, they will not earn equal incomes; conversely, show me a people who have equal incomes and I will show you a people who are not free.” Explain in your own words Mr. Reed’s meaning.
Reed’s comment about freedom certainly makes one think. He points out that equality should never come in the form of income, nor in the form of our talents. Equality comes from the political rights to do the best that we can with the talents that we have. This understanding promotes a spirit of cooperation. The people share their talents and interests to serve others regardless of the financial compensation. Today, we find our job in this huge world among our talents and what we like to do. They imply even more diversity among others. Reed believes that everyone should have the same job and same savings in order to compare everyone equally. His statements are true, but how would the world be happy? I would not want to have the same job my father has. I would not want a society where individual choice is not important. In serving they find freedom.