“Neutrality, as a lasting principle, is an evidence of weakness.”—Louis Kossuth Neutrality can be a wonderful trait in some circumstances. For example, if two mutual friends are quarrelling over something that you do not have a strong feeling about, it is best not to side with either of them. Another example where neutrality is a virtue is when a neutral nation tries to broker peace between two nations at war. In addition to these examples, there are many other situations where neutrality is the best policy. However, if we make a habit of always being neutral on all matters, we are demonstrating weakness of character. We can’t always straddle the fence no matter how comfortable that may make us feel. People of strong character will have some basic principles that they will stand up for no matter how uncomfortable it makes them. There was a time in this country when blatant racism was just a fact of life. Some people who may have seen how wrong it was did nothing to change it because they didn’t want to get involved. They justified their inaction on the basis of neutrality. You can’t be neutral on a subject like racism. Either you are opposed to racism or you are a racist. The same is true on many other major moral issues. You must decide where you stand and then stand up for your belief. On most major issues of controversy there are at least two sides, and those on each side believe their view is the correct one. But you can’t be on two opposing sides. You must determine which side is most compatible with your basic set of values and principles, and then stand up for what you believe in. Today many states encourage gambling by operating lottery systems that bring in substantial revenue. I believe it is wrong for government to operate gambling systems in order to collect revenue. The lottery is the cruelest of all taxes, and it usually hurts the poor more than anyone else. The poorest of the poor are often tempted to spend some of their precious money on lottery tickets in the hope that they will strike it rich. Many have almost no understanding of just how overwhelming the statistical odds are against them ever winning anything, so week after week they take a little money from their tight budget and spend it on the lottery. I believe the lottery is one of those things you cannot be neutral about. I know that many good people have a different view than I do on this issue. But I cannot find justification for government to seek revenue by putting poor families in a situation where they cannot resist the temptation to spend some of their scarce money on the lottery on the extremely unlikely chance that it might enable them to escape poverty. It raises false hope to people who have little hope, and it deprives them of money that they so badly need for the necessities of life. Think about it. Copyright 2014 Allen W. Smith TB-449 .
Posted on: Sat, 20 Dec 2014 23:28:31 +0000
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