Rethinking Old Ideas

Most people like the idea of progress. Most of us are willing to entertain new ideas and the rethinking of old ones. How far does this willingness go? What is in your mind that is never questioned? Have you ever questioned democracy? We point to its ancient pedigree forgetting not everything the ancient Greeks thought admirable is embraced by modern peoples. Our democracy is not restricted to old male slave owners for example, as Athenian democracy was.

But lets just be blunt. How many choices do individuals decide by majority vote? How many businesses operate as democracies? Does your government operate as a democracy? Most governments have a leader who sets the agenda and a whip who keeps the party lackeys in line.

Large charities are able to operate by donation. If the Cancer Society and Red Cross can operate on the power of donated funds, is it not possible for many other things now considered the responsibilities of governments to be similarly funded? If people give blood, would they not be willing to spend money on public good services?

This is said not as a solution to the waste of the public sector. But ask yourself this, ‘how many problems are solved democratically?’ We need progress to get away from old solutions if we are to eliminate old problems. Perhaps we need to start with giving everyone a living wage, not as a public benefit but as a result of employment. If we all had jobs, social goods could be funded by markets instead of taxation. But as said, this essay is not a solution, it serves as a challenge. Think! Think differently and rethink what has been rarely thought of if thought of at all.