Monday Morning Motivational Message - Rights & Privileges Versus Obligations & Responsibilities

How do you view your life, through the lens of rights and privileges or the lens of obligations and responsibilities?

One could view these lenses as one of being a giver or one of being a taker.

We 'hear' a lot today on social media about people's rights and privileges and very little about their obligations and responsibilities.

By law, there are certain "rights" that have been given to United States citizens by our Constitution. We have the right to free speech, peaceful assembly, and worship (or not) as we see fit.

There are also privileges that we have as citizens in this country. We have the privilege to drive a car provided we have the proper documentation and obey the laws. We have the privilege of access to medical care by walking into any hospital emergency room in the country. We also have the privilege of obtaining a job, which might also lead us to the privilege of living wherever we choose.

Our obligations and responsibilities should lead to the common good for everyone. But do we have any obligations and responsibilities?

We are obligated to pay our taxes, to obey the laws, and to serve on a jury when requested. 

Our responsibilities include voting  in elections, expressing our opinions to our elected representatives, and helping those who need a hand up.

However, there seems to be an "isolationist movement" taking hold in our country, not only when it comes to other countries, but also with each other.  

We just want to be left alone. We don't want anyone, especially the government, telling us what to do, say, or think.

We want others to defend our country because in 2023 the United States military missed their recruiting goals by 41,000 recruits.

We want others to protect us at home because 86% of law enforcement agencies are reporting a shortfall in staff.  

We want others to educate our children because 45% of all public schools report a teacher shortfall. 

In the American Civil War and during World War II, underage teenage boys forged their parent's signatures so they could enlist and fight for a cause they believed in. Today we can't get enough people to adequately staff our military.

We live in the greatest, most prosperous country in the world. A country built on the backs of people who understood the importance of maintaining our God-given and legal rights and privileges by understanding and acting upon our moral obligations and responsibilities.
  
What causes would you be willing to stand up for? What beliefs would you be willing to fight for? What philosophies would you be willing to defend? 

Leave me a comment about your thoughts on how we balance our rights and privileges versus our obligations and responsibilities.