Education or Legislation? (Part 3), 7-3-2010

  [Continued from Education or Legislation? (Part 2), 7-3-2010. sch 2/8/23.]

Education provides none of the gratification of legislation. Education requires hard work on the part of the educator and of those being educated. While education will lack the apparent effectiveness of the law, it will provide a deeper basis for compliance. I am thinking of a slogan I have seen about giving a man a fish and he will eat a meal, but give him a fishing pole he can feed himself. Depending on education does nothing for salving the egos of politicians or justifying a lobbyist's salary.

Let me give an example using the Prohibition model. Criminalizing behaviors resulting from an abuse of alcohol is more effective than was banning alcohol because we can all agree the drunk driver presents a danger to others. Dealing with the bad behavior resulting from the misuse of alcohol lacks the apparent simplicity of prohibition. As to why I write "apparent simplicity", I suggest you look at the career of Alphonse Capone.

Yes, I would apply the above rationale to illegal drugs. I think we all know the current drug policy serves only law enforcement and the providers of illegal drugs. I think we may not all see the intractability of legislators to change a course gone wrong. Education entrenches no favored groups, except for the thoughtful.

I have no great hope that legislation can instill good thinking. For the most part, legislation supplants thinking with obedience. The citizen need not think about the roots of their behavior, only obey. Obedience requires only following, not debate. When the Leader speaks, the Follower does not question but does. The Germans did well with this idea in World War Two. During the eight years of the Bush Administration, I thought we were Americanizing the Germans' idea.

Education may not produce the uniformity sought by legislation.  Too bad, is all I can say. Education creates minds open to persuasion - advocates must acquaint themselves with rational discourse rather than propaganda. 

We, the people, must work out the qualities we want for our country. Opportunists seeking political office or political power have exploited the differences between various American communities into actual differences. I believe a serious look at the changes since 1963 will show some changes were good - our treatment of the non-male, non-WSP Americans and our attitude towards those in power - for two examples.  Some changes may have gone too far. No longer can hypocrisy masquerade as decency. We need to find common ground upon which all people can co-exist. The pious and the hedonist need not lay down together, but they need to live on the same street without violence. Do unto others and render unto Caesar, for the secular government cannot stand above the other.

sch

[Continued in Education or Legislation? (Part 4), 7-3-2010. sch 2/9/23.]