Reply #31: Tolerance [View All]

[The Traveler]

The word "love" derives from the old English "lief", meaning "to give permission". To love someone is to grant them permission to be who they are, to find the other good despite their flaws. And, as John Lennon observed, "All ya need is love" ... and he wasn't talking about just receiving it.

We live in a society in which "zero tolerance" has become the standard. Once upon a time, tolerance was regarded as a virtue. Hey, you're different from me ... you make different choices ... but as long as you aren't ravaging grandmothers, burning down houses, or anything like that so you're cool, it is your life to live. Not any more.

These days, it is far more typical to regard another's choices from the viewpoint of one's own abstract value system and apply this principle of zero tolerance. Indeed, it seems to me that the chief difference between conservative and liberal these days is simply which life style choices are open to condemnation. The principle of zero tolerance towards life style choices is itself freely applied on both sides.

And thus, in threads like this, one encounters those who simultaneously want to impose draconian penalties on smokers or fast food eaters while advocating legalization of marijuana. This is rather amazing to me.

There are of course many behaviors that can drive up health care costs. I smoked for much of my life. Smoking thus far has contributed a minor amount of my life time health care costs. Rock climbing, white water, skiing, and other strenuous sports have contributed the bulk of my health care costs (broken bones, torn ligaments, concussions). Perhaps we should ban these risky behaviors as well, or exclude them from health care reform plans, or tax the crap out of them.

The danger I see in a policy path of this sort it leads towards a state wherein "All behavior that is not forbidden is compulsory." Smoking is bad for you. So is gluttony. So is an excess of sex. One can create major health problems by over exercise, oddly enough. Which of these behaviors shall we regulate with the force of law or the application of taxes?

Trav

(I hate these threads ... make me want to smoke ... must resist ...)

:evilgrin: