Who Matters?

Buzz Lightyear matters. He's worth beaucoup bucks and brings joy to a lot of kids. If your net worth is north of a billion dollars then maybe you matter, but that's debatable. If you have one or more dependents then you matter to them. If you have a life insurance policy then the company that issued that policy would like you to remain alive while that policy is in force.

Beyond that?
Well, if you are a productive member of society then maybe you matter. But what if you're an unloved quadriplegic imbecile? Do you matter?

I think we should issue licenses based upon how much a person matters. Those who carry an unrestricted license have the privilege of exercising all the rights granted to people of sound mind and body (assuming, of course, that they possess these attributes). Now many of us will be issued restricted licenses.

Physical handicaps are obvious examples. Psychological handicaps are much harder to ascertain, but I think we should err on the side of caution, given the tools available today. The more powerful the tool, the higher the standard should be.

For example, a heavy equipment operator will require far more rigorous licensing than someone who drives a passenger sedan. The same reasoning applies to any other force multiplier. Also, the individual is responsible for keeping those tools safe at all times, although I find it really hard to understand why any private citizen should have the right to own bump stocks and high capacity magazines.

The price of freedom is responsibility, both individually and collectively. I'm hoping Congress can do a little better than exercising a moment of silence. Clearly, they don't care. Apparently, what the NRA proselytizes matters more. How about a class action suit against bump stock manufacturers? That might matter.

Whatever happened to our rights to assemble peacefully? Doesn't that matter anymore?