The Individual

Many people have written and theorized about “the individual”. They have used the term “the individual” to discuss each person in a society and how that person interacts with the rest of the society and his/her environment. The reason the debate of how the individual interacts in the world is so important is because how we view “the individual” will change the way we view every aspect of life, government, and religion. And, American society’s view of the individual has always inspired and developed the direction of Americas progress. The fight for independence from England, the CIvil War, and the fight for Civil Rights are all examples of when America has acted upon it’s core view of the individual.

The question of how we feel about the individual goes deeper than just whether or not to honor and respect each person. We must ask ourselves: what do I believe the individual is capable of. Do I trust the individuals ability to care for one’s self, and make his/her own decisions? Or do I believe they are not capable of these things, and thus society and the government is responsible for the people? When do I value one individual over another-if ever (a women’s right to choose or a baby’s right to live)? These answers will shape our core values, and how we act upon those values. In turn,
how we answer these questions will develop our future as a country and as a people.

I believe these questions are fundamental when deciding who should be our next leader. And with the answers to these questions it will be much easier to answer the question of who to vote for.