For those unaware, this type of message is an invitation to contemplate, not an assault on my dear readers. When I use “we,” I refer to a segment of or our entire society. I understand that not everyone belongs to the group I am referring to.
Selective Interpretation
We argue the Second Amendment right to bear arms extends to openly carrying a rifle into a grocery store or concealing a handgun in our purse. However, we also argue that the First Amendment freedom of speech does not extend to legally admitted foreign students participating in a lawful protest; we want to expel them for expressing a position contrary to our government’s historical position.
Things Are Not as They Appear
There is hostile rhetoric against adults who have decided to represent themselves in a manner inconsistent with their biological birth sex. Does the government have any more legitimate interest in a man wearing a dress than a person wearing a burka, a nun’s habit, or a furry outfit?
We want to “out” them by requiring them to list a gender on their license and passport other than the one they represent. We want to discharge them from the military, no matter how many years they have served, based on a claim of unfitness without the Disability Evaluation System afforded to other service members who incur a wound, illness, or injury. Are we ashamed that it requires a court order for the military to cover transgender care for people that we rush to say, “Thank you for your service”?
What about our objection to paying for these expensive, “elective” transition therapies and surgeries? Do we make the same objection to cancer treatment for smokers or obesity-related disease treatment for the gluttonous? Or, is smoking and overeating the result of an acceptable mental condition different from gender dysphoria?
I recognize there are legitimate concerns about childhood transition, those obtaining an undue advantage through transition (sports), or females shocked by exposure to naked transgender women (locker room).
In the interest of full disclosure, I have a transgender family member, and our association changed my thinking. Placing yourself in their shoes might not change your position, but it may change your attitude.
The Ups and Downs
During the recent election cycle, many in the former President’s political party proclaimed that the stock market was a feeding trough for the rich and a beacon of wealth inequality.
When the stock market recently suffered a correction (but not a bear market), many of the same people wailed in despair and exclaimed, “We will never be able to retire.” Did they forget what they said six months ago, that we experienced a bear market three years ago, and the accumulating investor (the younger employed) should rejoice at this discount buying opportunity? Do they not see that older, experienced investors who have seen it all before are largely untroubled?
New Found Compassion
It took 62 years, but I have finally lived to see the day people rallied in support of government employees. Until now, I have only heard that government (non)workers were lazy; there were too many of them, and things would be way different for them if the government were run like a business. You know the joke, “One digs while two watch.”
Today, there has been a remarkable conversion and an outpouring of support for the formerly panned workers. People cry that the government cannot function with fewer employees, and those needing service will suffer (even more?).
Do they know that the number of federal workers, including non-employee contractors and grant workers, increased by 30% between 2015 and 2023? Given this expansion, can we consider the possibility of a workforce reduction without impairing service?
Why are some callously and gleefully reacting to job cut announcements? Do they forget that the terminations seriously disrupt people’s livelihoods? Why do mass private-sector layoffs generate sympathy for the displaced and strike fear in our hearts?
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I have run out of space, but not thoughts: next week, more observations, including our complicity in them.