So Do Your Part!

When I think about my life here in New Hampshire, I am pretty happy. I go to school, get paid to canoe on lakes, and play with my kitties. For me life is good. Life around me isn't perfect. The University of New Hampshire is the center of the universe for "Stupid White Kids Rioting for No Reason Whatsoever"Â?. Our apartment complex is full of loud, obnoxious people swearing into their cell phones. This weekend hate groups will be coming to Durham, NH, to protest a bishop being consecrated in someone else's church because they don't like his personal lifestyle. In the last two weeks, arrests have been made in my little town for drug sales, child molestation, and armed robber. Why is all this turmoil happening? Why do people do stupid things like throw fireworks into groups of people? Why does this stuff happen?

Everyone gets 13 rights - the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness plus the ten in the Bill of Rights. Don't ask me what those are, I am railing right now and can't quote facts. These rights are yours. I can't take them away without serious consequences. Too bad there wasn't a Bill of Responsibilities that went along with this Bill of Rights. There are religious ones, but they don't all apply here since this is a non-religious government. I guess Thomas Jefferson and James Madison just expected everyone to know what was expected of them. So, 212 years later, I am making a Bill of Responsibilities for everyone to follow.

Responsibility I:
Leave things the way you found them. If you found the door closed when you came home, close it once you are inside. After you make dinner, clean up your dishes. Leave the toilet seat the way you found it when you are done.

Responsibility II:
If you are going to do something stupid, like get drunk, DON'T DRIVE. You have the right to drink all you want. You don't have the right to hurt someone else.

Responsibility III:
You don't deserve any special treatment. You have to pay your own way and stand in line just like everyone else.

Responsibility IV:
Your right to do what you want ends at your fist where my nose begins. You can moan, beg, and argue all you want. Don't cross the line to make someone else do what want them to do.

Responsibility V:
Driving is a privilege, not a right, treat it as such. You had to pass a test, even if it was an easy one, to get your license. Questions on that test focused on the rules of the road. Those rules still apply. Follow them!

Responsibility VI:
Do things for yourself. You can do it, you are a capable person. Really! Pay your own bills, clean up your room, stop leaving things to be done by someone else. You are someone else.

Responsibility VII:
Offer your help rather than your complaints. If you don't like the way things are, change them.

Responsibility VII:
Use your head. There are an infinite number of situations where you have to make a decision on your responsibility. Figure out what your responsibility is and do it.

I think eight responsibilities are enough for now. If I gave you any more, it might be a bit overwhelming. Even James Madison started out with 17 rights in the bill that was cut down to 10. Now the ball is in your court. Go out and BE RESPONSIBLE!