It truly saddens me when I observe the identity of an individual being crushed by the widespread need to fit in with society and be like everyone else. Differences in character, appearance and emotion are created by unique pasts, and form the foundation for personal beliefs. When these differences are erased by society's attempt to create people alike, individualism (a value that I think is very important) is lost. Throughout my life I have been blessed with two traits, I am observant and sceptical. I remember a passage I read by Thoreau "If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music he hears, however measured or far away." Individualism vs Society Wholeness is an interesting topic, because it has its roots in the political system (Right Wing vs Left Wing). .
The basis behind Individualism (Right Wing) is to work harder because each person will receive the total value of his or her work (the rewards are not shared). While socialism (Left Wing) rewards laziness and penalizes hard work. .
The system of socialism believes there is a limited amount of wealth in the world that must be divided equally between all citizens. One person's gain under such a system is another's loss. I do not think that is morally just. Individualism is the only social system that rewards virtue and punishes vice. This applies to both the business executive and the carpenter, the lawyer and the factory worker. .
As to what our criminal laws should be? Well, each of us will develop our own unique list. Most of us will top the list with murder and go from there. My list would be shorter than most. As one goes about making up his or her own list, he or she, should realize that each item (criminal law), added to the list, is just another cut, trenching into freedom. One thing that I value over all others is freedom, the freedom to experiment, invent and produce.
