do you feel that you have an obligation to society?

[ulysses]

Spinoff thought from the vouchers thread -

I guess I've always taken for granted that a willingness to support civil society and the public institutions that help bring it about was a d/Democratic hallmark, even a core "value". Even more, it seems to me like it's simply good citizenship.

Is that slipping? Do you have any kind of obligation to society, particularly to the most vulnerable of us, or is all of that an anachronism these days?

[WMliberal]

1. yes, that's why i've tried to get work as a civil servant since I left

college.

I don't want to be a politician and I don't want to die for *'s fuckup, The best way to serve my fellow man for a living is as a civil servant.

[The Flaming Red Head]

2. Will I survive a catastrophic illness, no. Have I been turned down

for emergency care, yes. Do I owe society anything, fuck no.

Am I still willing to lend assistance, YES.

But not because I owe this society a fucking thing.

[CatWoman]

5. you do well by your name.

[The Flaming Red Head]

10. I know people who died for lack of health insurance

and they were nurses and in their 30s and I know I'll die young too. So if I do anything to help others, it's only because I want to and not because I feel obligated.

[jody]

3. Yes, because I benefit from being a member of society. n/t

[Jean Louise Finch]

4. Definitely

I was lucky: raised in a loving home, with a close family that prioritized education, was able to go to a fantastic public high school, then onto a fantastic private university, got through it and onto a really lucky and fantastic job opportunity straight out of school, and after all that, all those opportunities that I was born into, worked for, and came across, i DEFINITELY think I have a responsibility to give as much back as I can. I know I worked hard, but I also know that were I in a different situation, it's unlikely everything would have gone as smoothly as it did.

I work for the UN, I make responsible consumer choices (buy organic, recycled, local), I volunteer my time, I give to organizations and charities that I believe are doing good work, because I'm one of the lucky ones that can afford to.

[knowbody0]

6. 17 years ago i changed careers

from mortgage banking accountant. i used to dream of spread sheets.
i needed my life to count for something and doors opened. i fostered over 50 kids, eventually adopting 3 "unadoptable" siblings.
believe me, the more you give to the needy, the lighter and brighter you become. i am blessed

[Sticky]

8. Whoa....knowbody0!

:yourock:

[Killarney]

17. you rock. that's fantastic!

[Sticky]

7. yes.

I feel you owe it to yourself and others to make sacrifices for the good of your community. If you are well (and well-adjusted) and have the wherewithal to reach out to others, you should.

[welshTerrier2]

9. great question, ulysses ...

and not all that easy to give a straight answer to ...

i guess i look at the idea of an obligation two different ways ... the first is that you have an obligation to that which crosses your path ... it takes a somewhat "local view" of things ... you have an obligation to do right in your travels ... you have an obligation to "spread the goodness" to those around you ... you have an obligation to ease pain and suffering ...

the second view is more of a "far away" view ... and the sense of obligation may be lessened ... the work may not be less important ... in fact, it might be more important ... but when removed from the personal sphere, i see it as more of a voluntary contribution than an obligation ...

there's probably not much moral clarity underlying these positions, but i think it's how i see things ... it also does NOT mean that i don't get very involved in national or international issues ... it's the "right" thing to do ... it needs to be done ... i give to the struggle what i can ...

if this seems to lack clarity, or some type of "moral consistency", it probably does ... in fact, i'm not altogether certain i even agree with this now that i've read it over ... i feel like i should issue one of those Gilda Radner "never mind's" ... perhaps sometimes i do take the "far away" stuff as personally as the local stuff ...

[ulysses]

15. that's a pretty straight answer if you ask me.

"Think globally, act locally", in bumperspeak. :)

but when removed from the personal sphere, i see it as more of a voluntary contribution than an obligation ...

I guess I view it as a practical issue - you don't have to go far to be at a remove from my personal sphere, but if we believe that government has any role in making things better (and I do), it makes more sense to extend our contributions well beyond those who cross our paths...like everyone paying into public schools, even those attended by kids we don't know personally.

At the level of individual or small-group action, though, the local focus makes perfect sense.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. Yes, it's slipping.

I use to be very public minded and would just jump in and take on monumental tasks as a community activist, and follow a fair and established process to get things approved in public sessions. Then I realized that there is an entire shadow government that undermines just about every effort made by someone like me -- someone who believes in the concept of fair play. And, sadly, most people in the community would prefer that shadow government to the loud, noisy and time consuming task that comes with the democratic process.

So, I feel I've done more than my share for this community, and all I want to do is bide my time and get out of here as soon as possible, preferably with my ass intact. Hopefully, in my next neighborhood, I'll find better people.

[cally]

12. Yes

I know I have been given many opportunities. I went to public schools and colleges. I owe others for that education.

The big breaks were for my parents. They don't recognize them, but I do. My Dad had a UC education and training in the military. He took that to invent much. We were more than comfortable. My Mom was one of the first two women to major in Chemistry. She was hired by a company that she bought stock in. One of the first hires ever for a female Chemist. The stock she bought when she was first out of college will fund my parents' retirement for the most part. Yeah, I'm a liberal. I realize and acknowledge the opportunities given to them

[Clarkie1]

13. Yes I do; "If you can do good, you should" - Wes Clark

[freeplessinseattle]

14. "Be ashamed to die until you have won some justice for humanity"

Horace Mann, the founder of Antioch (the school I dropped out of halfway through my grad program, I am ashamed to admit, but haven't given up that philosophy)

[hollowdweller]

16. The Republicans push all this love of country crap but isn't it patriotic

to want to have the best educated, most prosperous, and most healthy population? It's now like the only thing we are all supposed to be patriotic about is the military. Civil servants are not awarded the same respect as military even though they probably help as many people as most soldiers. I really thought we were turning the corner after 9/11 with all the respect being heaped on the public employees who responded, but we've gone back to screwing them.

[Killarney]

18. Yes, I do.

To use the public education example, I went to public schools. So, that means that people who didn't know me, some people who didn't even have any kids, paid for my public education. I will do the same.

I feel obliged to help my fellow citizens when and where I can. I feel obliged to abide by my society's laws, except the speed limit, but only then breaking it by a littl bit. ;)

[buddhamama]

19. personally speaking, yes

no kidding but I was born this way, it is my nature. For me it is a moral issue. I feel I am obligated to help my fellow man. It is through public institutions that we are most effective at addressing the issues that plague society, inequality being just one example.

[Guarionex]

20. Yes...i try to contribute

when I can, and with my skills...as an artist, expert in political science (doctoral student in PolSci).

Whatever I can help with...I do so.

[Ms_Mary]

21. Yes, I feel like I do. But it doesn't seem to matter to a lot of people. n

[IStriker]

22. Yes, I believe we all do.

I don't think that this value is taught in school anymore, so a child with parents who do not pass societal values along is not exposed to their obligations. Maybe it's a mistake not to teach "civics" anymore so that children grow up realizing that they "owe" their country for what it provides to them, mainly the freedom to make choices.

[ulysses]

23. gratuitious

:kick: