by skarekrow13 Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:23 am
The issue with minding your own business, as defined as allowing others to pursue happiness as they see fit, is derived from BagerX2's point. Compassion and shiny fun feelings are not universal characteristics of the human race. I prefer that people don't mind their own business in the case of murderers, sexual predators, thieves, drunk drivers, people who don't yield for pedestrians in the crosswalk etc. etc.
I'll take my most mundane example. Laws are constructs of human nature intended for the common good of all. In NY state, crosswalks that do not have a traffic control device (stop light) are defaulted to pedestrians. Meaning all drivers should stop when they see someone entering or about to enter a crosswalk. The most egregious issue I've witnessed is walking with my family. There's four of us. I'm 6' tall and not camouflaged. The jogging stroller we used to have for my daughter is fairly large and orange. Yet we would constantly see vehicles ignore our use of the crosswalk and fly by. Meaning, inherently, many many people are not compassionate. They are not inclined to obey rules. They are not inclined to think of others. Humans are a social animal but only when it benefits the individual.
In the society I know, too many people already mind their business for their pursuit of happiness. You may rightfully ask where the harm is in disobeying crosswalk rules as it only cause us to lose some time (the same thing we ask of the driver) but the concept carries over to bigger things.
I can't be bothered to stop to ensure the safety of my fellow humans because it negatively impacts me and I don't want to be late, or I don't see the harm to others, etc. etc. This is the same concept (but a much much smaller scale) than the thought process of: "I will sexually abuse someone, because it's what I want to do and I don't see or don't care about the harm to others" or even "this person wronged me, and I would be happier if their existence was removed from this life."
By defining minding your own business as everyone allowing others to pursue happiness in their own manner opens up the extensions of doing things for convenience, pleasure, or the removal of anxiety.
I have to disagree on this the way you've defined it. However, I do support a broad range of laissez faire legislation across a broad range of topics. There are a lot of things with no inherent harm to others that many individuals feel compelled to meddle in.
My best example: I live near the birthplace of the Mormon religion. You know, the very rapidly expanding and controversial sect of Christianity. Anyway, every year they have a pageant on the hill where Joesph Smith reportedly did his thing. I went once because they open it to everyone and I know enough Mormons to know how big the pageant is. Off the subject, the pageant is beautifully done, regardless of faith it's a masterpiece. Anyway, just like all the years before it, there was a HUGE protest across the road from the pageant area. I mean HUGE. And vocal. With lots of police to make sure it doesn't turn violent. The disagreement is that THESE Christians, don't like the idea that THESE OTHER Christians have more books to read from than they do. For some reason, the concept that maybe God sent different angels to talk to people at a different time than they believe is reason for...and I do mean this word...hatred.
If you mean that there should be less of these stories in the world, I agree....mind your own business jerks!
