WHY GOVERNMENT REGULATION IS ACCEPTABLE IF IT SUPPORTS OUR PERSONAL AGENDA

There is a story of a man who had persistent ringing in his ears, with a flushed face and bulging eyes.  He went from doctor to doctor in an attempt to find out about this affliction and if there is a cure.  Repeatedly told there was no medical explanation for his symptoms, he decided to try one more doctor before giving up.

After interviewing the patient for some time, the new doctor told him the condition was terminal and his timeline was around 6 to 8 months.  The man was stunned and asked the doctor what he should do to prepare.  The physician told him to sell everything and take a world tour; live life to the fullest in his final days.

The man did just that, he sold everything and made a reservation for a world cruise.  Wanting to look his best on the cruise, he decided to buy some tailor made suits for the trip.  At his first fitting the tailor measured his pant size, 36 X 30, shirt sleeve length, 34 inches and neck was 16.5. The man interrupted the tailor and said,

"No, my neck size is 15.5." He and the tailore argued for a few moments when the man said.

"Look, I have been buying my shirts for 20 years and I wear a 15.5 inch neck, so make a 15.5 inch neck and there will be no further discussion!"

The tailor said "Fine, but if you have ringing in your ears, a flushed face and bulging eyes. don't come back to me for a refund!"

This is a great story, and one that is relevant to modern society and our belief that something must be wrong. Consequently, we focus on the symptom rather than reality of the situation.  This is especially true when it comes to our focus on the distortion noise vs the quiet truth about issues that affect our nation.

Government control or regulation are hot topic buzz words used by special interests groups to keep us off track and immersed in noise. It is a dividing line between political parties, corporations, unions, religions and individuals. We all lament government regulation either for or against its implementation. Our argument is based on the amount of uproar by those groups we tend to follow blindly without reasonable consideration or research.

Just like the character in the story, we lay trust based on position, association or common belief.  Our support or lack of support is based solely on the information we are provided and our self centered agendas, many of which are diametrically opposed.  Here are some current examples:

1. A majority of citizens are vehemently opposed to government gun control, but insist on government control or ban for abortion.  Yet guns and abortion procedures are considered instruments of taking life.
2. Today's issue with immunizations reveal a majority of Americans want mandated immunizations, yet they oppose any form of control over religious groups, many of whom do not support medical intervention and the practice of artificial birth control. 
3. A strong majority support the separation of church and state, yet insist on "God" being placed on coins, oaths of office and government buildings.

These are but a few examples but illustrate our oxy-moronic and self centered behavior when it comes to government regulation.  But how do we overcome this dichotomy of thought and practice?

Generally, when we are confronted with a hot topic we respond based on programmed data.  How do we know it is programmed?  Quite simply, if the topics evoke an emotional response, it is the result of conditioning.  We take a little bit of information fed to us and run with it as absolute truth.  This helps no one.  So how do we come to a balance?

The only way we can attempt to cure the rampant abuses of special interest is to do research, ask questions and look at the arguments from both positions.  Remove the noise from the media and special interest groups.  Stop being a blind follower and become a responsible citizen.  Stop being Republican or Democrat, Pro-life or Pro-choice,  Pro-gun or anti-gun and start being an American.   Accept the fact that what is best for us as individuals and our personal belief system, may not be best for the country or the majority of Americans.  Stop and Listen!

Who knows, if enough of us do this, we might just change the nature of things and our collars won't be so tight.