MANDATE

 

If you’ve ever been to the beach you might remember seeing this sign. It is the proprietor’s request that you do not bring in your sand and sweaty body into their establishment offending other patrons.

There are plenty of patios where you can settle down on plastic chairs and be served in the open air, but not inside.

There are no posts that require that you wear pants or underwear but that is mostly accepted by common etiquette. There are no requests for getting a better haircut anymore. In polite circles the ladies cover their yah-yah’s.

In most cases, there are no bouncers standing at the door for you to apply to the request for we are still a somewhat civilized society. We observe the request and comply.

There are lots of mandates we follow without thinking about it. Drive in the right lane unless passing. Stop at a red light. Pull over to the side to let fire truck pass. Don’t pee on someone else’s lawn. Turn down your loud music at midnight.

If you want to find these acceptable social requests an attack on your personal independent freedom, please check the laws. When the majority of the population finds actions unacceptable, they request their elected legislators to pass laws with consequences to offenses.

Store closes at 12AM. Road detoured until further notice. No dogs allowed. When the whistle blows, come out of the water. No turn on yellow. Take off your shoes to board an airplane.

There are plenty of restrictions on your personal freedom, for a reason. If you do not agree, you have the freedom not to board an airplane. You have the freedom not to pass through a metal detector in a school or government building. You have the freedom to keep your kids out of school. You have the freedom not to get a vaccination. You have the freedom to worship in the church of your choice. You have the freedom of your opinions and bias unless they offend someone else.

In school, when the bell rings, we move to the next class. That is our mandate and we have no choice. The military thrives on giving orders to follow without any push back. Employment sets the requirements for attendance, quotas and salaries while complying with government mandates on diversity, safety and now environmental regulations.

Our society is funny that way. Do the best for the community. There may be some restrictions, but for the overall health and welfare to the family, city, state, country or planet, it will be worth it.

Don’t know when the regulations intrude on your personal freedom. Is defying a request to get a shot worth your employment, finances and possible health?