Trusting Free Will
It is obvious that each group, government and country does require some funds to accomplish group objectives. What should be the guiding principle in obtaining money for group goals? Is it right to tax the people? If so how much tax is appropriate?
Is it right to take money by force for a good cause from people who do not support that cause?
Well, my friends, from the answers we have received so far on this it doesn’t sound like there are many big government tax and spend people in this group – or if there are they are hesitant to speak their mind.
In the free governments of the world there are indeed two forces playing themselves out. The negative force is driving governments toward bigger and bigger government that taxes the people more and more with the promise of greater and greater benefits that the majority see as some type of free lunch. These growing governments offer increasing regulations imposed on the people “for their own good.”
The second force is toward greater freedom and individual responsibility. This force in the hearts of men and women is stronger than appears, but as it is presently playing out it seems to be losing the war. Each person has a piece of the pie and doesn’t want to give up any of his benefits even if the whole ship is sinking.
There are many who claim to be advocates of freedom who are merely deceived and do not see clearly the principles which empower it. Selfishness and illusion cloud the minds of many so if their own benefits are enhanced at the expense of the many they are deceived into thinking that freedom is enhanced.
The truth we must look for is that true freedom is only increased when the benefit which is seen as increased freedom extends to the whole and is supported by the whole.
There are several things to look for in deciding on the principles that should rule a country or group:
(1) The people must have a say in deciding their destiny.
This first principle is indeed lacking today in all countries for in all parts of the world restrictions in freedom are made where the majority have little to say about it.
(2) The majority of the people should feel happy and satisfied with the laws and regulations imposed. The majority is the bare minimum. Ideally two thirds of the people should be satisfied.
In the United States, for instance, the majority are quite unsatisfied in the overall system, but make no positive efforts for change because most individuals who desire change usually require change of their neighbor and not themselves. If we desire to live in a situation of maximum freedom we must all be willing to accept changes that affect ourselves as well as others.
As far as something specific like the ideal tax there are several possibilities.
In ancient Israel the government was financed by a voluntary tithe of ten percent.
Ten percent is a fair enough tax if that is all we had to pay. If we paid that and nothing else few would complain.
It is interesting that those who tithe today usually give to some religious organization in addition to 30-50% to their government so today’s loss of income is much greater than that which occurred in ancient Israel.
Ideally a voluntary ten percent tax should be able to run any efficient government, but if the consciousness of the people is not up to it the majority would probably support something like a ten percent sales tax and perhaps a reasonable gasoline tax. Lotteries were used back in the days of George Washington and could be used again if necessary. I’ve never bought a lottery ticket in my life, but would be willing to do so if I thought the profits were being used wisely.
Many of the teachers of the race have taught the principle of equality among the human race. Even Jesus told the rich man to sell all he had and give it to the poor. This type of teaching has been misinterpreted by many into the idea that the rich and even moderately successful are evil and we must remove their money by force and give it to the poor.
Therefore many are deceived into supporting the Robin Hood idea of stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. What they do not realize is that this system evolves into taxing everyone including the poor and giving to the rich as we have it today in most countries.
For instance who is hurt the most by the gasoline, cigarette and alcohol taxes – a large source of revenues?
The poor.
Who benefits?
Mostly the well-to-do.
Question:
So if it is not right to force equality through a mandated redistribution of the wealth then how will equality ever be achieved?
Keep in mind we are not talking about exact equality here, but a general atmosphere of living where all have equal opportunity for wealth? This would be a system where all who are willing to work will have their basic needs met.
The equality of the human race, as far has having basic needs met and equal opportunity offered, is planted in all human souls and is an ideal that will someday be manifest. The problem is that it cannot become a reality by following either extreme of the swing of the pendulum.
It cannot be achieved by do-gooders who want to force us to do right for our own good as has failed time and time again in communism. But neither can it be achieved by an emphasis on selfishness.
What is the answer then?
The answer is simple. Allow people the maximum freedom of choice possible and have faith in the divinity that is in us all. Then those who have understanding should teach the people the divine ideas that are soon to manifest.
The results of freedom combined with teaching does not always manifest quick change, but when change does come it is safe and permanent.
Forced change can produce quick results, but always carries a backlash and the people eventually backtrack and work on finding the correct path.
We often think of disease as being of a physical nature, but there is also social and spiritual disease. Our planet is indeed ill and out of balance, but the strange thing is that illness is usually caused by some good intention misdirected toward a divine good as illustrated in the fourth Law of Healing given through Alice A. Bailey
“Disease, both Physical and Psychological, has its roots in the good, the beautiful, and the true. It is but a distorted reflection of divine possibilities. The thwarted soul, seeking full expression of some divine characteristic or inner spiritual reality, produces within the substance of its sheaths a point of friction. Upon this point the eyes of the personality are focussed, and this leads to disease. The art of the healer is concerned with the lifting of the downward focussed eyes unto the soul, the true Healer within the form. The spiritual or third eye then directs the healing force, and all is well.”
Many of the ills of humanity has its “roots in the good, the beautiful, and the true.” Leaders sense the need for greater equality, brotherhood and sharing, but instead of working directly under the soul in materializing these objectives their lower self creates a distorted reflection of divine possibilities and the result is a continuation of much pain and suffering that just does not seem to go away.
The time is coming when teachers of light will surface and lift the downward focussed eyes of humanity toward the soul. When the eyes of the downtrodden meet the eyes of the soul, healing begins and vision is restored. When this occurs humanity will begin greater sharing and helpfulness through their own free will with the realization that “all souls are one.”
The important thing to understand as we seek to apply the principle of the pendulum to the solving of world and personal problems is this. The most correct direction to solving problems is never a simple black and white extreme, but involves seeing through the eyes of the soul, thinking on our feet and the making of wise judgments and decisions.
A couple other ingredients of the Pendulum are the source of the power behind the swing and the purpose of the swing. What is this Source of power and what is the Purpose?
Sept 18, 2000
Copyright by J J Dewey
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