A Simple Question

At the root of every issue, physical or philosophical, is the carefully considered response to the simple childhood question, “Why?”.

This simplistic inquiry can be applied to every topic or subject, can be honestly answered, and, more often than not, the reply can be an equally uncomplicated one or two words.

Try it out:

Q. Why does Congress behave as it does? A. Power and prestige?

Q. Why does the 2nd Amendment exist? A. Fear? Fear of an all-powerful centralized government equaling the English Throne at the time the amendment was written?

There are, of course, those who will begin to split answers into convoluted, lengthy, categories with little real meaning, dividing responses by political party, race, gender, and more, but, by and large, these explanations merely disguise the simple: Selfishness, Greed, Jealousy, Distrust, Hate, etc.

The inability to respond honestly to “Why?” in an equally simple terminology, in my view, arises from the ulterior motives of the individual replying, protecting one’s self interests. It is not new, this shield in which people clothe themselves to safeguard their view, their motives, their very livelihood, but it does appear more prevalent today than 100 years ago.

Why is every issue now considered first by ulterior motive? Why are there no longer deep desires for individual liberties on the part of our youth?

Oh, there are more “why’s” today than there are answers.

I fear the day coming when the majority no longer asks this simple child-like question: “Why?”