Listening For The Word I Never Hear

From time to time they draw battle lines and pull out their biggest guns. Soon the air whistles with volleys intended to disable the adversary on the other side of the fence. For one group, it's a moral crusade--good versus bad. For the other, it's a question of rights--theirs versus the do-gooder's. But there's one word I never hear. Deal with it and some of the dust may settle.

The immediate issue is whether to legalize liquor sales, but it could just as easily be any number of others with little variation in the arguments.

The "moralists" cite statistics. According to MADD, alcohol-related issues cost society $135 billion each year--$51 billion due to crashes, and the remainder due to violence, chronic illness, and alcohol-abuse problems. Crashes cost $1.90 per ounce of alcohol consumed; a price can't be put on pain and suffering.

The "rights" camp has statistic, too. They speak of increased business, better restaurants, and more tourism. "Quality of life" is at stake. It's their right to buy locally, and the "moralists" don't have the right to deny them. But there's one word I never hear.

There's a fundamental law of the woods: "The one who shoots a deer must get it back to camp." There's more to being a hunter than pulling the trigger; there are responsibilities that must also be fulfilled.

"Responsibility" is the word I never hear. If I did, it might sound something like this:

"I want to be fully responsible for my choices, and it's my responsibility to keep the burden of alcohol-related costs off those who choose not to drink. When I work to have liquor sales legalized, I will insist on enough tax to pay for all associated costs, direct and indirect.

"By choosing to drink, I fully realize that I could cause an alcohol-related accident. If so, I will personally be responsible for the victim's out-of-pocket costs and lost income, however long they may endure. It's my duty.

"And should I cause the death of some child's mother, I will assure that child, 'I can never replace your mother, but I'll do what I can. With my arms around you, I'll cry with you over her grave. I'll go to your school events. I'll be at your ball games. I'll be your advocate. Holidays without your mom will be sad, but I'll cheer you up as best I can. Call me when you're discouraged. You can count on me. It's my responsibility.'"

Whenever I hear the "quality of life" argument, I wonder whose lives they're talking about. Irresponsibility pays meager wages, and better restaurants prove puny compensation to those who have been maimed or robbed of a loved one in some alcohol-related incident.

Accept responsibility, and rights have a way of taking care of themselves. Those who demand any right--even one I agree with--should speak with the same determination about fulfilling the personal responsibilities that go with it. I'm listening.

Copyright 2000 James McAlister

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