{"id":243624,"date":"2020-06-12T04:52:10","date_gmt":"2020-06-12T11:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/?p=243624"},"modified":"2020-06-12T05:11:22","modified_gmt":"2020-06-12T12:11:22","slug":"the-nation-or-the-individual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/erickimphotography.com\/blog\/2020\/06\/12\/the-nation-or-the-individual\/","title":{"rendered":"The Nation or the Individual?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Towards a more individualistic society. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the telos of a nation?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"America<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

I am an American<\/a>. The question:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the purpose or the telos of America, especially towards the individual?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Walking<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Basic things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t want others to rob me of my private property, or attack me without any sort of retribution from the police, or government servants. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Also:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to live in a manner in which I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m able to exercise my freedom of speech and activity without fear of being jailed or killed.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\"Selfie\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Am I entitled to anything?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think so. I am very grateful for governmental aid, and it helped me tremendously as a child. If it weren\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t for governmental support, I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have had discounted and free meals in public school, I would not have been able to afford college, and I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have been able to become who I am today. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Face<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

But was I entitled<\/em> to it? No. If the government didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t give me anything, I wouldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t complain. Why? The only thing I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m entitled to in America is my personal liberty<\/a>. I appreciate government aid, but I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think I am entitled to it, nor do I \u00e2\u20ac\u0153deserve<\/em>\u00e2\u20ac\u009d it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In praise of paying for taxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Benjamin<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Certainly I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t \u00e2\u20ac\u0153like\u00e2\u20ac\u009d paying taxes. As an entrepreneur, I strive to reduce my taxes through my expenses and deductions. But still … I am grateful to even have the privilege<\/em> to pay taxes. Why? My money will go towards helping other kids who need help pay for college and thrive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
A photo of me during my Eagle Scout ceremony. Alameda, California, troop 11. Me at age 18. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My personal duty <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Me and my sister Annette as children <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s my duty? Help other kids who were once in my position. To give back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n