The autumnal moon beams its mellow light in the blue sky. The autumn sky is clear. A few patches of bulging pieces of clouds float swiftly by. As I walk down the crooked, narrow, unpaved street, I try to make my way through the river of hackney coaches and untamed livestock. Merchants and traders flocked to the city, new buildings are constructed, coffee houses and theatres increasingly buzz with activity.
I smile and wave to the warmly and neatly dressed folks as I pass by. Everyone is very polite, and turn away from me tactfully, not wishing to notice the lamentable fact of my existence. The smell of roasting suckling pig and yeasty and sweet mead brewing overwhelm the stench of the streets. This succulent, meaty, and peppery aroma attracts me to a dimly lit tavern. My eyes slowly move from the large fire in the stone hearth, where the pig is roasting, to the long bar with tall stools arrayed along it, bracketed by ascending spiral staircases. It led me to a lonely man sitting drinking mead. There were no seats at the tables and the only vacant stool was by the man. I leaned over and said: “The pork smells really good.” He said, “I have ordered some myself” and introduces himself, “I am John Locke. Do you mind if I share some ideas with you, some things I have been working on for publication? “Oh yes,” I responded, “My name is Shirley and I am so excited to hear your thoughts.”
My curiosity spoke, “Mr. Locke there are a few questions that I have pondered about for several months. What makes law justifiable? Everyone has individual liberties; where do those boundaries end? Is it the will of the majority, public interest or is it the equity it dispenses? Locke smiled and said: “The law that best serves the individual without infringing on someone else's rights. If the law does not protect all it fails as that is its sole purpose.” He asked if I agreed with him and I nodded my head. I responded, “Yes, I strongly agree. What makes a person unique is what they think and believe. Any types of laws or situations that try to take away one's uniqueness are not fair and cruel. Anyone that tries to take away one's ability to think or make their own decisions is an injustice. People by being a living human and can think on their own are considered individuals in a society. If a person can question his or her own thoughts then he or she is part of the human society. I believe that true Justice demands that the human voice and personality be at the fulcrum of the law.”
I questioned, “What do you think about liberty?” He responded, “Freedom allows one to live and without equality it would not allow everyone to have their own thoughts and views. Without love for another person loneliness develops.” I asked a personal question, “What inspired you to study government and politics?” He said, “I was extremely interested in the Bible, and have always been engaged by biblical theology. My liberalism is inspired by my religious vision, from the Bible humans are in a natural state of freedom and equality to each other.” Locke looks at me searchingly to see if I understand, or if I digest the information. I nodded my heavy head and I seem to see him shifting, appearing and disappearing.
The candlelight starts to flickers as I asked him another question: “Is a social contract more than just a written agreement, who would judge if the contract is broken? He pronounced his words with a slurred, “In the state of nature, a social contract is where the people temporarily transfer some of their rights to the government to better indemnify the stable, comfortable enjoyment of their lives, liberty, and property. Since governments subsist by the consent of the people in order to promote the good of the public and protect the rights of people, governments that fail to do so can be opposed and a new government can take its place.”
Enjoying the last delightful bite of the delicacy, soft and tender meat and the beautifully glazed, golden, glistening and crispy skin, it felt like my taste buds were in heaven. This culinary seduction’s savory aromas taut and entice all my senses. I questioned, “Why are we only guaranteed life, liberty and property? Those rights are very important but what about having the right to be born with the right to free speech guaranteed as a born right, after all we all have a voice when we are born that should be natural too. Why does the government need to serve the people?” Locke replied, “Without a civil government, man that lived before the formation of society was founded on a savage selfishness and this drove man to obtain pleasure for with concern for mercy toward other men or justice. This is the state of nature. People were always at war with one another. Each individual was endowed with the society with the right to do anything they pleased and people were in constant fear for their lives. Freedom of Speech… Hmmm? That is an exceptional question, I never thought too deep about that. The government serves to protect people's rights. Shirley, do you feel you are born with certain rights God given to you?" I wobbled and tip forward, “My desire to see improvement in government to help ensure everyone would be just and protects its citizens from internal strife and from attack from the outside. This would benefit the people, rather than to its detriment. With this mentality, I will intend to do the same for future generations of Americans. I believe we should have amendments to protect the people’s rights to practice any religion, speak freely, address petition to the government, and assemble with others. It is getting late, I should return home. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight with me. I had an implausible dinner.”
I felt warmth inside when I think of his inspirational words. lub- duh, lub-dub, lub- dub…
I smile and wave to the warmly and neatly dressed folks as I pass by. Everyone is very polite, and turn away from me tactfully, not wishing to notice the lamentable fact of my existence. The smell of roasting suckling pig and yeasty and sweet mead brewing overwhelm the stench of the streets. This succulent, meaty, and peppery aroma attracts me to a dimly lit tavern. My eyes slowly move from the large fire in the stone hearth, where the pig is roasting, to the long bar with tall stools arrayed along it, bracketed by ascending spiral staircases. It led me to a lonely man sitting drinking mead. There were no seats at the tables and the only vacant stool was by the man. I leaned over and said: “The pork smells really good.” He said, “I have ordered some myself” and introduces himself, “I am John Locke. Do you mind if I share some ideas with you, some things I have been working on for publication? “Oh yes,” I responded, “My name is Shirley and I am so excited to hear your thoughts.”
My curiosity spoke, “Mr. Locke there are a few questions that I have pondered about for several months. What makes law justifiable? Everyone has individual liberties; where do those boundaries end? Is it the will of the majority, public interest or is it the equity it dispenses? Locke smiled and said: “The law that best serves the individual without infringing on someone else's rights. If the law does not protect all it fails as that is its sole purpose.” He asked if I agreed with him and I nodded my head. I responded, “Yes, I strongly agree. What makes a person unique is what they think and believe. Any types of laws or situations that try to take away one's uniqueness are not fair and cruel. Anyone that tries to take away one's ability to think or make their own decisions is an injustice. People by being a living human and can think on their own are considered individuals in a society. If a person can question his or her own thoughts then he or she is part of the human society. I believe that true Justice demands that the human voice and personality be at the fulcrum of the law.”
I questioned, “What do you think about liberty?” He responded, “Freedom allows one to live and without equality it would not allow everyone to have their own thoughts and views. Without love for another person loneliness develops.” I asked a personal question, “What inspired you to study government and politics?” He said, “I was extremely interested in the Bible, and have always been engaged by biblical theology. My liberalism is inspired by my religious vision, from the Bible humans are in a natural state of freedom and equality to each other.” Locke looks at me searchingly to see if I understand, or if I digest the information. I nodded my heavy head and I seem to see him shifting, appearing and disappearing.
The candlelight starts to flickers as I asked him another question: “Is a social contract more than just a written agreement, who would judge if the contract is broken? He pronounced his words with a slurred, “In the state of nature, a social contract is where the people temporarily transfer some of their rights to the government to better indemnify the stable, comfortable enjoyment of their lives, liberty, and property. Since governments subsist by the consent of the people in order to promote the good of the public and protect the rights of people, governments that fail to do so can be opposed and a new government can take its place.”
Enjoying the last delightful bite of the delicacy, soft and tender meat and the beautifully glazed, golden, glistening and crispy skin, it felt like my taste buds were in heaven. This culinary seduction’s savory aromas taut and entice all my senses. I questioned, “Why are we only guaranteed life, liberty and property? Those rights are very important but what about having the right to be born with the right to free speech guaranteed as a born right, after all we all have a voice when we are born that should be natural too. Why does the government need to serve the people?” Locke replied, “Without a civil government, man that lived before the formation of society was founded on a savage selfishness and this drove man to obtain pleasure for with concern for mercy toward other men or justice. This is the state of nature. People were always at war with one another. Each individual was endowed with the society with the right to do anything they pleased and people were in constant fear for their lives. Freedom of Speech… Hmmm? That is an exceptional question, I never thought too deep about that. The government serves to protect people's rights. Shirley, do you feel you are born with certain rights God given to you?" I wobbled and tip forward, “My desire to see improvement in government to help ensure everyone would be just and protects its citizens from internal strife and from attack from the outside. This would benefit the people, rather than to its detriment. With this mentality, I will intend to do the same for future generations of Americans. I believe we should have amendments to protect the people’s rights to practice any religion, speak freely, address petition to the government, and assemble with others. It is getting late, I should return home. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and insight with me. I had an implausible dinner.”
I felt warmth inside when I think of his inspirational words. lub- duh, lub-dub, lub- dub…
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