Bread

Over the years I have collected bits of “wit, wisdom, stolen quotes, attributed quotes, and smart ass comments.” I call them my RoEs (rules of engagement). Most are not a “practical” as Gibbs’ Rules on NCIS. Some of my RoEs are original to me. Some I thought were original and then in reading other material find that I have not been the only one to think in a particular direction.

One RoE which I came up with several years ago is, In the midst of an economic crisis many are too willing to give up their freedoms in order to have a loaf of bread; others are too willing to take away freedoms to increase their control over who gets a loaf of bread. This seems ever more true today. It is not just here in the USA, but in all countries, where this seem frighteningly true. In part, it explains cries to keep out the foreigners.

We could easily substitute “security” for the words “loaf of bread” in my RoE above. We encourage the government to make rules and to take action which will make us more safe and secure, to ensure we get our loaf of bread (even if it means others do not). I remember when automobile seat belts were first introduced and then required as safety equipment on all autos. Now, they are not only required to be installed they are required to be used. “Click it or ticket” signs are frequently seen along our highways. I remember when motorcyclists were first required to wear a helmet. There was a huge uproar about both seat belts and helmets. To counter the uproar official slogans and not so official statements were offered. “Seat belts save lives.” “What do you call a motorcyclist who refuses to wear a helmet? An organ donor.”

Economic security, or a great number of people feeling they have no economic security, has given rise in the current political campaigns to close our southern border to those who enter illegally because “they are taking our jobs and are a drain on public services.” In very few quarters do we hear calls to stop the exportation of the jobs which fueled the rise of the middle class in this country, or to stop the relocation of corporate entities to other countries to avoid paying taxes here. Those last two items are more to blame for the shrinkage of the middle class than foreign workers, illegally or legally, in the country.

Labor unions have lost their voice and teeth in fear of plants being closed, or whole industries being moved off shore. The United Auto Workers and the Teamsters were two of the largest and strongest forces in the country. The greatest “democratic socialism” we have seen in this country were the unions. It used to be that a presidential candidate knew there was very little chance of being elected without the endorsement of the unions. Now, it seems the candidates only give a slight nod to the unions.

In the name of personal security, the number of hand guns being sold and the number of concealed carry permit applications have sky rocketed. I read a slogan on Facebook which stated, “An armed society is a more polite society.” If I am afraid you are packing, I am going to be far more careful about what I say and how I act. I know that even the most level headed person can “go off” sometimes. If the other feels they have been unduly “disrespected,” or if they feel some level of physical threat, it is very possible they will meet threat with what their answer to stop or eliminate the threat. Even the sanest among us lives on the edge of insanity. Nobody knows the tipping point for themselves or others.

What if we all worked to make sure bread is broadly and evenly distributed to all? In Exodus the people were told to gather enough manna for their household for one day. None went hungry, there was enough for all. There still is enough for all. It is merely a problem of distribution and sharing equally. If the “bread” is evenly distributed and shared equally freedoms would abound and none could control who gets bread.