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| "Braveheart" (1995) |
224. According to Lewis, Redelmeier, a Canadian, told an American student: "What is it with you freedom-loving Americans? . . . Live free or die. I don't get it. I say, 'Regulate me gently. I'd rather live'" (224).
As an example of "gentle regulation," Redelmeier cites laws that require motorcyclists to wear helmets. Another law might be one that requires motorists to wear seatbelts. Another one might be a law that requires motorists to obey the speed limit. Another one might be one that requires people to wear face coverings during a pandemic.
Do you agree that Americans are generally reluctant to obey laws, even if not doing so will put others in danger? Or do you feel that American reluctance to welcome "gentle regulation" must always be considered on a case by case basis because Americans will happily follow laws as long as they consider them reasonable?
I believe that many Americans look at regulations and follow laws as they consider them as reasonable. The definition of "reasonable" is flexible in many situations and an example of this is COVID-19 and seat belt laws. A federal mask mandate many people argue is unconstitutional under either freedom of expression or the Fourteenth Amendment but seat belt laws are fine. Both are for safety reasons and both are logical but one is seen as unreasonable and the other is seen as reasonable.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Americans are generally reluctant to obey laws, that is easily seen during this pandemic. Many people are refusing to wear masks, even though that may not only harm them but could also be lethal to others. While to an extent, I believe that this reluctance could be beneficial, to ensure that our laws are feasible, I also believe that Americans, specifically in our area blatantly disobey laws such as the mask mandates by calling them an “infringement of their rights” while in reality they just do not possess the ability to empathize and believe their comfort to be more important than the health and safety of the general population.
ReplyDeleteAmericans are pretty spoiled and typically won't do something unless they want to. Rules aren't set in place for people to follow as much as they are for giving the government a system of punishment. Everyone chooses what rules they want to follow and which ones they want to not follow. Some of these rules even apply to ones that are set in place to keep people safe. Most of us either know someone or are the person who goes outside during a tornado warning to see if they can see it. It is so dangerous, but they still do it. The same goes on with masks today.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more of a case by case acceptance of laws. They only want to obey the ones they deem to be reasonable enough. A perfect example would be the mask ordinance being issued right now. Many people who live here are convinced the media screws with numbers and therefore doesn't believe how dangerous it can be so they choose not to wear a mask. they think that its an unreasonable new way for the government to control them without taking into consideration that by them not wearing a mask they could be putting others in danger.
ReplyDeleteMany Americans have proven during the course of this pandemic that they would rather be “comfortable” than follow a law to prevent the spread of disease. Requiring a face mask while in public during a pandemic that has already affected over one hundred thousand people seems very reasonable to me, but many people view it as an attack on their rights. This seems selfish to me as mask wearing is a simple action that can save lives.
ReplyDelete-Dixie Redman
Americans are quite reluctant to obey laws. It is far more important to them to have the choice to do whatever they want. Even when they see the common sense behind the law, they often feel resistance simply because they are being told they cannot do something. They like to feel in control most of the time. They tend to value freedom to choose over safety, health, and almost anything else. They feel outrage the government is trying to control them, when in reality the government is trying to protect them.
ReplyDeleteAmerica is drunk on freedom. The idea of freedom consists of the notion that one is free from control but with the limitation that one cannot hurt others in the process. As we have consumed more and more privileges, the insatiable American fervor for power has only eroded the limitations that once was placed on freedom. Liberty has been construed to formulate a justification for any action that results in a good end for the one that took the action in the first place, regardless of the consequences and casualties. Any attempt to control the individual in any manner of inconvenience is now hailed as a violation of our "fundamental liberties." Until infatuated Americans get a taste of true robbery of basic fundamental rights instead of minor inconveniences, we will continue to remain drunk.
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