Freedom at Risk

This morning on the news, there was a story about insurance companies adjusting rates based on the number of miles you drive. They do this a bit already when you declare how far you drive to work, but this program would take this a step farther. They would like to electronically monitor your odometer. The theory behind this is that the farther you drive, the more likely you are to be in an accident. It was sold in the news story as a possible way to reduce rates for those of us who drive less. In my experience, any short drive savings, if there are any, will be set off strongly by the increases imposed. Frighteningly, most of the people that were questioned during the news story were enthusiastic about the idea. They felt if it might reduce the cost of insurance, they were all for it. HELLO –People! Why don’t you just sign over your privacy now?

People don’t realize that the loss of rights doesn’t happen in one striking blow, but in small acceptable steps. Recently, I read the book book Night by Elie Wiesel. His first chapters illustrate this idea in horrifying truth. Elie was a young man growing up during the time of World War II. He was Jewish. He watched first hand as the people in his town complied with Nazi’s requests. Move to the Ghetto – ok, it may be better to live together anyway. Be prepared to move on - at least we will have our families. As they arrived at the death camps, let us revolt – let us keep our calm and see what happens. Elie writes in frightening detail about what comes next. They have gone too far to do anything to stop what comes next.

I often think that people would willingly place tracking devices in their children if given the proper persuasion. If it was said that the government was requiring implants, the people would rise up. But if the same “request” was formed as a way to protect and keep children safe, mothers would line up for miles never considering that something so good could be used for wrong later on.We must be vigilant about our rights always. Our freedoms can so easily slip through our fingers under the guise of what is right and “good for us”.

Free people, remember this maxim: We may acquire liberty, but it is never recovered if it is once lost. ~ Jean-Jacques Rosseau