The cause of conflict

The following is a post from fellow RT Will Lessons

The cause of 90 percent of conflict in the world is assuming.  When you assume, you make an "ASS" out of "ME" and "YOU."  Most conflict is caused by people thinking they know what's best for everyone else. 

Faults: Letting people know their faults causes conflict.

Most of the conflict in the world is caused by people who think they know what's best for everyone else.  They experienced something really bad, and they want to prevent others from experiencing the same thing.  To do this they make rules and laws.  There is a consequence to such an action: you thinking you are smarter than everyone else, and the result is conflict. 

So you were once an addict.  You had a husband who was an addict.  You want to prevent everyone else from being addicts, so you make drugs illegal or tough to get.  The problem here is you are basically assuming people are stupid.  You are assuming most people will not make the right decision when faced with decisions. 

Economics is the same way.  When you take our taxes, you are assuming experts running the country know the best way to spend that money.  You are assuming the rest of us are stupid. You are assuming we won't spend it to help the poor.  

Actually, during the 1980s, when taxers were cut from 75% on the rich down to less than 30%, charitable givings were at a record high.  So there is evidence that if given the opportunity, people can make wise decisions with there money.  I don't mean to delve into politics here, but I have a point to make.  If you force people do do things, all that will result is irritation and conflict.  

After all, people have a right to be stupid, selfish, and greedy if they so choose.  People have a right to put bad food in their body.  We may not agree with it, but it's a reality.  People also have a right to not take their medicine.  It's called personal responsibility.  When you trample on this personal responsibility, you can surely expect conflict.  

That's my rant for this week.  Will.  

Thoughts?

Note: The opinions expressed by Will may or not be the opinions shared with the author of this blog.