Foundations For High Trust Societies
Liberty And Freedom
When the process of cultural genesis was taking place in the colonies of the Americas, one of the contributing influences of the process were the Puritans, and their emphasis on the rights of the individual. Not all Puritans were respecting of the rights of individual choice of religious beliefs however. In fact, some of them were religious extremists, who attacked people who didn't subscribe to their religious edicts. But, their emphasis on the rights of the individual helped to lay the foundational attitudes outlined in the Bill of Rights, which are legal amendments to our United States Constitution.
Another contributing factor that helped to lay the legal foundation for individual rights in the United States of America is the Ten Commandments from The Holy Bible. The relevant commandments are:
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not kill.
7. You shall not steal.
8. You shall not bear false witness (or tell lies) against your neighbor.
9. You shall not commit adultery.
10. You shall not be envious of others or their possessions.
Another important foundation for social civility and high trust are manners and etiquette. You can learn a great deal about these topics from the book, "Etiquette", by Emily Post. This book covers a range of topics that include; Everyday Manners, Out and About, Communication and Technology, Social Life, The Workplace, Life Stages and Special Times, and Weddings.
At its core, these are principles based on live and let live, and following the Golden Rule- "Do unto others as you would have done unto you". It's hard to go wrong with these basic precepts.
However, even though our government is based upon the principles of Christianity, which is tolerance, and the rights of the individual, it DOESN'T mean that our society is required to be actual Christians in terms of their religious beliefs and practices, only what is outlined within the laws of the government.
I think this is part of the reason why our society is having a little bit of trouble. So, for example- I personally think it was a mistake for the Supreme Court to overturn Roe vs. Wade. The reason I currently hold this view is because the Ninth Amendment states that just because a right is not stated in the Constitution doesn't mean that it is not a right that people hold. A ruling had already been passed on this issue by the Supreme Court, and therefore by ruling on it again, the case could be argued to have been an unconstitutional "double-jeopardy"- ruling on an issue twice. I think the court gave into the religious right, which violates separation of Church and State. I think abortion should be allowed under Federal Law before the 15th week of pregnancy. After the 15th week of pregnancy, it could be argued that the development of the fetus would constitute a recognizable human life, and therefore would have legal rights under the law.
Another hot-button issue- transgender rights. Again, under the principles, laws, and cultural values of the United States of America, transgender individuals should have the legal right to identify as a different cultural gender. This means that they should be able to change their legal name, and determine their gendered pronouns. This may be offensive to religious Christian conservatives, but we have a separation of church and state. Our culture is about the rights of the individual. Also, I think there needs to be accuracy and clarity around the words man and woman. In my opinion, and I think language scholars would agree, that the etymology of the word woman means a human adult who was born as a biological female. So, this is distinct from a trans-woman. I think transparency is important, especially when it comes to the dating world and family formation. No transgender person should ever be discriminated against or disrespected. However, it's important to be honest. An individual who was born a biological male does not have the right legally, to claim to be a biological female. They are not, that is a fact. Biological males cannot become pregnant and give birth to children and feed infants. Biological men who want to get married to biological women and have children with them should not be socially pressured to date or marry biological males. Again, this comes down to the rights of the individuals. One person's rights do not supersede another's. So, this would also apply to public bathrooms. A biological male with a male sex organ would probably make some biological females uncomfortable if they were to use a "women's bathroom". Also, when it comes to competing on women's sports teams, a biological male competing on a women's sport's team would generally have an unfair advantage athletically, and probably should not be competing on women's sports teams. This is not about social intolerance, this is about weighing the legal rights of biological women vs. trans-women, who are born as biological males.
Another one of today's hot-button issues- divorce. There seems to be quite a social backlash right now on the conservative right regarding women's rights and roles in society. A lot of this backlash has been due to the skewed outcomes in family court cases when it comes to child custody determinations, financial child support, and former spousal support. Those who are not supportive of modern women's rights are jumping on the bandwagon with those who have valid complaints and are using this problem to roll back social and legal progress for women's equal rights in society. A way to solve this problem would be to make it more difficult for married couples to divorce if they have minor children. I'm not saying that divorce should be illegal. But, the plaintiff seeking the divorce should have to demonstrate that the couple can afford to live in two separate households and be able to support the minor children of the marriage adequately. That means that the spouse being divorced from will not be left living in poverty, the children will not be left living in poverty, and that the tax-payers will not be left picking up the tab. In terms of single mothers, allowing abortion during the first trimester would eliminate a lot of births out-of-wedlock. Is this an ideal solution, of course not. But, sometimes you have to be practical.
Another hot-button issue- prayer in school and trans story hour. Having prayer in school is a violation of the separation of church and state. Trans story hour is probably also a type of violation of the separation of church and state. Let's let schools do what they were intended to do - teach academics.
Also, school boards should not be arresting parents during meetings for practicing their First Amendment rights. This is Gestapo behavior and completely out of line with American Law, culture, and values. It's a good way to end up with a whole community of homeschoolers, and a whole school of staff and teachers out of a job.
Another hot-button issue- immigration and asylum seekers. Congress has passed clear laws regarding legal immigration into the United States. Anyone violating these laws are subject to law enforcement procedures to correct these violations. Anyone who is in disagreement with our current laws should start petitions and become politically active to elect political representatives who will enact legal change that you find more agreeable. You cannot simply ignore the current laws we have in place. You must understand that anyone working in the United States illegally is potentially being treated like a slave, which is outlawed in our Constitutional Amendments. Compassion means wanting everyone here to have their human rights protected. If someone is here illegally, they have no human rights, and are at the mercy of those they are working under.
Another hot-button issue- killing by law enforcement or political officials without due process of law is a violation of the 14th amendment, under section 1.
Overall, I think it would benefit our society if everyone became more familiar with our laws. Become familiar with the writings of John Locke, the philosopher who greatly influenced the writers of the Declaration of Independence. September 17th is Constitution Day. Take some time out of your day this week and read our founding documents. Understand the principles of freedom and liberty. Treat others with dignity and respect. Understand the difference between political discourse and social discord in society. Be a positive force for the good of all. Don't expect others to be, act, and think like you. We are a big country with a lot of people. Keep principles above partisanship.
The Bill of Rights and Amendments to the Constitution of The United States of America
The First Amendment provides several rights protections: to express ideas through speech and the press, to assemble or gather with a group to protest or for other reasons, and to ask the government to fix problems. It also protects the right to religious beliefs and practices. It prevents the government from creating or favoring a religion.
The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.
The Third Amendment prevents government from forcing homeowners to allow soldiers to use their homes. Before the Revolutionary War, laws gave British soldiers the right to take over private homes.
The Fourth Amendment bars the government from unreasonable search and seizure of an individual or their private property.
The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes. It states that serious criminal charges must be started by a grand jury. A person cannot be tried twice for the same offense (double jeopardy) or have property taken away without just compensation. People have the right against self-incrimination and cannot be imprisoned without due process of law (fair procedures and trials).
The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections to people accused of crimes, such as the right to a speedy and public trial, trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases, and to be informed of criminal charges. Witnesses must face the accused, and the accused is allowed his or her own witnesses and to be represented by a lawyer.
The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases.
The Eighth Amendment bars excessive bail and fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ninth Amendment states that listing specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that people do not have other rights that have not been spelled out.
The Tenth Amendment says that the Federal Government only has those powers delegated in the Constitution. If it isn't listed, it belongs to the states or to the people.
The Eleventh Amendment says that the judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign state.
The Thirteenth Amendment - Note: A portion of Article IV, section 2, of the Constitution was superseded by the 13th amendment.
Section 1- Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
Section 2- Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Fourteenth Amendment - Note: Article 1, section 2, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of the 14th amendment.
Section 1.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2.
Representatives shall be apportioned among the several States according to their respective number, counting the whole number of persons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed. But when the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, Representatives in Congress, the Executive and Judicial officers of a State, or the members of the Legislature thereof is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age*, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in rebellion, or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State.
Section 3.
No person shall be a Senator or Representative in congress, or elector of President and Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may by a vote of two-thirds of each House, remove such disability.
Section 4.
The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the Untied s/Sates nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the Untied States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligation and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Section 5.
The Congress Shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this article. *Changed by section 1 of the 26th amendment.
The Fifteenth Amendment -
Section 1.
The right of citizens of the United States to votes shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude-
Section 2.
The Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
The Nineteenth Amendment says that the right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.
Congress shall have power to enforce this articles by appropriate legislation.