Why do so many people think they have the right to dictate

[Target_For_Exterm]

how other people live their lives? I can understand cracking down on criminal activity because society as a whole is impacted by criminal behavior. But why do people think they have the right to dictate what kinds of wreaths their neighbors hang, what they do with their bodies, or what they do in their bedrooms? When did America become so intolerant and controlling? Is this a result of the rise of the Republican party, the rising power of religious fundamentalism, or what? Perhaps it's a sign of the stresses in our society? Constant fear mongering from Washington? Economic woes? Insecurity about the future?

Nothing irritates me more than having someone think they have the right to dictate how I live my life. I'm not a wild and woolly kind of person. I live a very quiet, law abiding life. But I still have people who try to dictate everything I do. I can't even imagine what it must be like for someone who is doing something these folks seriously frown on. What's next - torching the house when someone doesn't conform?

Why is intolerance on the rise in the US again? Why are these folks so demanding that everyone conform to their stereotypical views of who and what we should be? Why is individualism such a threat?

This tendency toward dictatorial control, both politically and socially, is another of the things that makes me nervous about where our country is headed.

[rwenos]

1. Fear

Cold, unreasoning fear. Fear of losing control. Fear that the world is spinning out of control.

How apt is FDR's "we have nothing to fear but fear itself"?

[Generic Brad]

6. The fearful despise the fearless

We are everything they are too afraid to be. Instead of looking at us as examples of freedom to be emulated they find it far easier to condemn us for displaying the the very things they have inside themselves and are too scared shitless to unleash. It is an example of self hatred turned inside out.

[LeftCoast]

2. That condo association crap has been going on for years

I wouldn't read too much into that particular incident. I guess I agree with your larger premise though, that personal freedoms in America are, in many senses, very tightly regulated. Every time I go to Europe I notice the difference.

[seabeyond]

3. all over the place. both parties. i agree. i have two pitbulls across

from me that have gotten out in the past. not lately. just leaves us to watch closely while kids are in the front yard and though i hate the damn dogs, nad they threaten my family i still KNOW i do not have the right to demand people within city not be allowed these animals, no matter how much i hate the things. and i am pissed they are in my nieghborhood. and pissed that we have to be afraid because of them. the best i can hope is that people will consider others. obviously this neighbor doesnt and it is mine to suck up. and it goes beyond just this one thing. there are many things i may not like, and may keep out of my life but i am sure as hell not going to dictate to another.

[patrice]

4. Emptiness.

"Meaning", "Significance", "Identity" produced through various forms of coercion.

[Webster Green]

5. It would solve a lot of our problems, thats for sure..

..If everybody would just mind their own beeswax (as my momma used to tell me)

Welcome to DU!:hi:

[Lydia Leftcoast]

7. People feel insecure, so they try to control what they think they can control

It's no coincidence that one of the most liberating times in our history (the 1960s) was also the one in which most people could see their material lives improving.