Everybody Want to Go to Heaven
Reggae artist Peter Tosh sang that “Everybody want to go to heaven, But nobody want to die.” To get to heaven (in the religious sense), one must die, which nobody wants to do. But the issue goes far beyond religion or the concept of heaven. In this life, on Earth, people often want a value, but they do not want to enact its cause. They want a benefit, but they don’t want to pay the price. Socialism, in all of its variants, depends on this premise. Some individuals expect to be fed and housed simply because they are alive. They want to be educated and given health care simply because they exist. They aren’t concerned with how these values are provided. And they don’t care. They want values, and they expect others to pay for them. But values must be created, and that requires effort. Those who want values without the effort want to go to heaven, but they don’t want to die.
Dream On
Sticking with a musical theme, one of Aerosmith’s most popular songs is “Dream On.” In the song, we are exhorted to “dream until your dreams come true.” Unfortunately, our dreams are often stifled by factors outside of our control, and no matter our efforts, our dreams will never come true. One of the biggest impediments to individuals realizing their dreams is government regulations. Regulations prohibit individuals from taking the actions that they believe will help them accomplish their dreams. And so, no matter how much they dream, they must become criminals to make their dreams come true.
Compare and Contrast
The two songs mentioned above offer very different perspectives on life and individual responsibility. Peter Tosh tells us that people want values without the effort required. Aerosmith tells us to aspire to values, and then exert the effort required to attain them. Peter Tosh sang about getting his share. Aerosmith sang about paying the dues. An individual who wants his “share” will expect others to provide what he needs and wants. An individual willing to paying the dues will work to achieve what he wants and needs.