Just heard that the Mayor of Boston is banning the sale of sugary drinks. On the face of it that may sound reasonable and/or sensible since Boston reports that 23% of their citizens are in the obese category.
Now wait just a minute. They are banning cokes but not booze. Hummm, that's a bit odd. Sodas can make you gain weight but alcohol can kill you. Don't misunderstand me, I'm certainly not in favor of outlawing liquor (again). I am against any government office that tries to limit my freedom of choice.
If someone wants to have a cola, that should be their decision, not that of the government.
Have people forgotten what civil liberties mean to us? Has the Mayor of Boston forgotten that this government was founded upon the notion that the people must have personal freedoms? This is about a much larger issue than ordering a Pepsi with lunch. This is the slow but insidious erosion of America's raison d'etre.
The responsibility of writers is to be aware of this and all other important issues that face us all today. Writers need to read and study and learn about what is happening it the world. They have the unique ability to bring those issues to the public in their books, movies, poetry and missives of all kinds.
You are the voice and heart and mind of the people. Pay attention. Use this in your writing.
Don't allow the fascistic minded noisemakers to get the only words out in the universe. Your writing is your voice and it is an important one.
No comments:
Post a Comment