- The Declaration of Independence states that all individuals have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Government’s purpose is the protection of our rights.
- The pursuit of happiness means the freedom to choose one’s values and the means for attaining them, so long as one respects the freedom of others to do the same. If we want the freedom to pursue our values, we must respect and defend the freedom of others to pursue theirs.
- Individuals have a wide range of values. Some like baseball, and others like the ballet. Some like Mozart. Others like Jay Z. Some like malls, while others prefer parks.
- In a pandemic, individuals will choose different courses of action. Some may isolate themselves and have little or no contact with others. Some may choose to continue working because of their financial situation. Some may choose to spend time with their grandchildren, despite the risks, because of the value they receive. That is their moral right.
- Production and the pursuit of happiness are both a part of living a successful life. Production is the means by which we produce the material values required to live. Happiness is the psychological state of living one’s life well.
- The lockdown has prohibited individuals from acting on their own judgment in the pursuit of their values—their happiness. It has restricted our freedom to produce and trade. It has restricted our freedom to associate with others. It has restricted our freedom to create and enjoy values. It has restricted our freedom to pursue happiness.
- The lockdown, we are told, will save lives. But life isn’t about avoiding suffering, misery, and death. Life is about achieving and enjoying values. Life is about pursuing happiness.
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