We as men tend to hold ourselves high on the throne of creatures, because of our ability to reason. And more importantly, our ability to respect reasoning. In the late seventeenth century, a man named John Locke wrote about this reasoning, and how it applies to a more refined man. In essence, a civilized man.
But contrary to Locke's beliefs, what we have grown in to, is a reasoning that we are not equal, and therefore we are subjects of an American monarchy.
Perhaps Thomas Paine, who encouraged America's Revolutionary War, also had it wrong. Perhaps we are not so good after all.
Today, three-hundred years after Locke, and two centuries behind Paine, America is caught in a more-than-unusual political debate that runs exactly within partly lines.
The idea that as human beings we have certain guaranteed rights, has become an ideology of power rather than rights. Gay rights have become religious power plays. Civil rights have become militarized aggression. And maybe worst of all, class warfare is being fought in the Supreme Court.
John Locke just rolled over in his grave.
The question is, Can we roll him back?
The idea of creating a better society is not only un-new, but it is also our core objective as a species. But there are two versions. I believe one is inherently better than the other.
One version is a Manifest Destiny objective, where society grasps Romantic Nationalism as if they have some sort of claim to higher existence. This higher existence was evident in Hitler's ability to wage and win war, and in Hitler's acceptance by the people of Germany. Germany simply believed that a better society was going to happen.
This ideology was also present in White America's conquering of natives. The American Indian, was slaughtered in the name of Manifest Destiny, and in the name of an unknown god. America's religion and America's elitist theories, were solely responsible for the annihilation of the American Indian.
Where did this "I'm better than you" come from? And more importantly, what does it mean today?
First, we have to look to Locke, and what the second version of a better society is.
There are many avenues that we could travel here. We could look at the American Civil Rights movement, or even the Women's Suffrage of the American 20th Century. We could examine Steven Pinker, and his marvelous book, "Better Angels of Our Nature," but where we should really look, is inside ourselves.
Locke's theories were grounded in human effort, not only inward, but also towards society. Locke believed in the individual power of man, but also believed in the charitable contributions of man. What Locke stated repeatedly, is that as we live in a society that is run on labor and money, and because some are simply more fortunate, a certain charity exists.
We see this today, in our ability to raise money for cancer, for school activities, and for political causes. Some fundraising efforts are grassroots, and some are corporate, but both require people acting as agents of distribution. Without that human mechanism, we have no group-sourcing.
The second version of society is simple, rooted in respect for other peoples. There is no racism, discrimination, or even war, for that matter. Locke described this a "duty." And Locke was correct in assuming that humans could in fact, be a gentler society, one where slavery was not an option, nor was class warfare.
Today, the gap between rich and poor, growing at an astronomical rate. The rich have been able to manipulate the legislative branch, the judicial branch, and even local government. In 2012, Frontline exposed a behind-closed-doors political agenda aimed at fooling the American public. "Climate of Doubt" exposed an effort that backed money rather than science, while at the same time tried to create doubt among the voters. This created doubt was facilitated by a few self-called scientists who offered contrary opinions AND offered a scathing discredit towards established science. Essentially, one big lie.
This enormous lie, is backed not by any real science, but instead by the richest of Americans. And those same ultra-powerful rich, also tend to devalue civil rights. Locke's theories about human interaction, especially about how to treat other humans, is polar to the right's propaganda concerning "free market" and "conservative" values.
Locke would undoubtedly take issue with American slavery, class separation, and women's rights. The right wing's insistence on war, especially religious war, would make Locke seethe with contempt. Today's right wing, is the definition of Manifest Destiny. It is okay to want a better society, but to have arbitrary explanations and ideologies, contradicts true progress.
Thomas Paine was adamant about American "freedom" and her inevitable expansion. But Paine also believed in man's deserved income. Today, we see a political fight over wages in America and if we look back at Paine's writings, we can find a common thread. Paine certainly believed in a "minimum wage," and was vocal about why the working class should be rewarded.
There are good arguments from the right, about wasteful spending and curbing welfare abuse. As a society, we get lost in the overpowering message, as it tends to overlook tax breaks for the rich, and elitist benefits that only the well-to-do have access to.
Healthcare is a good example of this conflict. There are some that believe welfare is a handout. Many of those people, if not most, also believe that healthcare is a handout. They could not be more wrong.
Healthcare is simply what it is. It is good business. In theory, a healthier community spends less. Universal healthcare is exactly what Locke envisioned as man's charitable duty. It is similar to our ideas about animal shelters, in that it is more humane to relocate canines, than it is to euthanize them. It is then, entirely humane to provide healthcare to all Americans.
Where Locke really gets to turning in his grave, is the media that we have today. Locke would probably do more than just shake his head. He would write about it. Locke would most certainly take issue with American media's portrayal of "divine rights." Today, much media is based on those religious concepts, rather than the "natural law" of Locke's writings.
The simple fact is, the rich and the media, are about money. And money has pushed this elitist divine rights thing. What Locke was concerned about, is the incorrect application of divine law to natural law. There is no theory that says man cannot be civil without religion. Locke knew this, and today's media and politicians do not. It is this fact, that precisely describes America's tendency to wage war, whether at home or abroad. Money and religion drive that tendency.
As we sit here in 2014, feeling Locke under our footsteps, wriggling in the history underground, we may want to ask ourselves: "Should we be more concerned about our future?"
If the answer is yes, then I would suggest grassroots activism, much like the writings of John Locke. In today's age, the activism is distributed worldwide in real time, and because of that, the message is clear and powerful.
It is good to be socially liberal, as democracy is a liberal idea. But it is also good to be conservative, especially when it comes to spending(across the board) and taxes. It is good to have accountability and an American entrepreneur tenacity. And it is good to have healthcare for all.
The lower classes in America have been abused by the rich, and it is time that changed.
Make it happen by supporting tax cuts for the poor, increased wages and healthcare for the middle class, and proportional taxes for the rich.
Make it happen by writing about it, contacting your politicians, and voting for your community.
