There are those cherished exercises we should never forfeit. Our liberty, our freedoms, our right to vote. And though coupled with our inalienable rights comes our equally inalienable responsibilities, it seems the one thing we surrender without much thought is our individual commitment to those around us, our duty to do unto others.

When did we decided to task our government with the role that should have always remained our own?  Charity, decency and morality are intimate responsibilities, yet sadly many now turn to legislation to achieve these “collective” goals. We took our charges of private behavior, ethical responsibility and personal compassion and asked our politicians to assume control. Wrapped in the shroud of paternalism, the government became both our moral compass and the enforcer of our moral codes. One need only think of congressional episodes like the recent “slap and tickle” to find this train of thought as ridiculous as it is offensive.

On a recent episode of Freedom Watch, Judge Napolitano used the words “social pressure, not jail” as a cure to big government involvement in what should be personal endeavors. It made me wonder if social pressure, not socialism, balances and holds each of us accountable for our own karma?

If the respect you show another is based on regulation, if your sense of morality comes from a majority rule, keep it. It’s as fake as you are; kind of like plastic fruit.

The good we do, we do because we can, not because we should. We do what we do out of compassion, not out of compliance or coercion.

Why not be a good friend, be a good parent, be a good neighbor, be a good citizen, be a good leader and be aware of any government, from Condo Boards to City Hall to Capitol Hill that regulates–by statute–those actions that should be of individual responsibility?

Please feel free to slam me on Facebook

You are welcome to ridicule me on Twitter

Join me at The Brian Brawdy Show, Liberty’s Line in the Sand