Freedom... still our cry

Got on Line 2 and headed downtown to see the Lincoln movie. The movie wrapped around Lincoln's drive to have the abolition of slavery proclamation become the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. He was influenced by Greek mathematician Euclid to make his point that since white people are human beings and black people are human beings, it's a self evident truth that they are equal to each other.

Lincoln: "Even in that 2000 year old book of mechanical law, it is a self evident truth that things that are equal to the same thing are equal to each other."

He felt it was improper for one person to have complete authority over another person and go as far to declare them as property he owned. No one has the right to take away someone else’s freedom. This has become the cornerstone of the reasons and arguments we present today on individual rights for our freedoms.

Having lifestyle freedom is the cry of humanity. This may also be a foundation for why cities host public transit systems.  People deserve the freedom, the right, the opportunity to get around. Public transportation is a means to satisfy this freedom, or right to everyone in all circumstances of life. We have transportation freedom options in America... the car, the train, the airplane, the motorcycle, the bicycle, the feet … and the bus. We each have the same opportunity to go to the store, go to a park, get to work, pick up food, go see friends, enjoy a ride, or take a walk. We like our options to take different routes at different times... to have the option, ability to choose which one we prefer.

In transit we may have overlapping options, but it’s a place to experience our freedom as we personally desire. Freedom, independence go hand in hand. Having it the way we want is an American expectation. Although, when we have had a freedom and we feel we have lost it by someone else's decision, of which we are not privileged to be part of, we naturally resent it. If it continues, we have a tendency to rebel against it. People who lose freedoms eventually rise up against those who they feel were responsible for them losing their freedom.

Lincoln had a handle on not only human nature, but a society's nature if freedom were not given to all who rightfully deserve it. If slavery remained in America, he knew America would eventually face another uprising... even maybe worse than the civil war.  History has also shown it has to be more than law, but part of the human spirit as well.

When people feel suppressed,  the longer the suppression and the greater  the degree someone feels suppressed, the greater the level and intensity and destructiveness of an uprising that will follow. The reverse is true. Increased freedoms, involvement by people affected by decisions, the more they naturally work congenially with each other. Authority over others while taking away someone’s voice has never worked.... even more so in a free culture where it is expected.

The bus systems have provided transportation options to communities which keep civility in the community. Even when not directly used, to know it is there, imbeds a sense of option and variety, a sense of freedom in one’s mind. Those who regularly use transit many times tell you that they use more than one bus line. The sense of option produces a sense of freedom, civility, and harmony in social structures. Life becomes productive while enhancing lifestyle for all.

The Lincoln movie was a thought-provoking one for me. The movie got out just in time for me to catch Line 22. I thought on these things on the way back to my place... and still am. I am glad public transit provided me the freedom and option to see the movie, which inspired my life.