Liberty VS. Gluttony

America loves liberty. It is one of our three unalienable rights and is at the very foundation of this country. American's are willing to defend their liberties sometimes at the expense of all other rights. Today, we have an important political movement based on libertarian values, and at the same time almost every major policy initiative in the US instantaneously runs afoul of someones libertarian sensibilities. The concept of liberty seems noble enough. Why can't I live my life responsibly without crushing taxes or over reaching regulations that infringe on my personal liberties? Why does the government need to get involved in areas that are beyond what's logically necessary and why don't they just follow what is outlined for them in the constitution?  Almost all Americans embrace the notion of liberty in its romantic form as the foundation of our country,but there seems to be an unmentioned element of liberty that is causing huge problems in our society.

Liberty is sometimes a fickle companion.  One person's reasonable liberties can often trample on another person's reasonable liberties. Then, what seems so noble and clear cut can become servile and muddled. My right to smoke cigarettes seems like a liberty that should not be infringed upon; however, smoking may sometimes come in conflict with another persons right to not have to breath second hand smoke. Also, if my smoking causes me lung cancer, this is my business. But what happens when I can't pay for my medical care and others will have to indirectly pay my medical bills? A similar problem arises with over consumption of food. Almost everyone recoils at the notion that the government can tell us what or how we should eat. That is offensive. Some would say that they have the right to eat like a pig and balloon to 400 pounds (then that is my prerogative). They say that the airlines better have seat belt extensions available, and too bad for the people sitting next to me who are being suffocated. If I get diabetes and/or heart disease I expect to receive the same medical care as everyone else. It is my right (liberty).

 This trap has often tripped up the most ardent Libertarians. Ron Paul defends peoples right to exhibit gluttonous behavior but goes on to say we might consider denying them access to hospitals and healthcare. Whoa, wait a second,  that is not fair. I have the same right to healthcare as everyone else even if I can't pay for it. The same people who seem to over-exercise their personal liberties say that that is discrimination. They say the government can't discriminate. What about my right to use as much energy, gasoline, etc... as I want? Is my right to choose? Should the free market be the ultimate arbiter? If the price of oil goes up because we use too much well then I will pay for it. And besides the  government should stop restricting drilling and the price would come back down. The fact that we have imported as much as a $1 billion a day from the Saudi's is fine with me. If I want to waste my money on gas guzzlers and contribute to the global carbon emissions being burned I should have the unfettered right to do so. That is not my problem or responsibility. I could choose to use less energy, drive a more efficient vehicle, save money, reduce carbon emissions and help the countries balance of payments. That seems like a responsible way to exercise my liberty.

Is there an implied duty of responsibility that accompanies liberty? If my liberty turns to gluttony or in someway has unintended consequences that effect other people, society or the globe, am I to be limited in anyway? Most Americans can easily grasp the idea that we can't throw our trash anywhere we want. In fact, America today is much cleaner than it was 40 years ago. Our air, rivers and public areas are significantly nicer. Much of this effort was voluntary but it took significant governmental effort to enforce clean water and air standards to accomplish what seemed a daunting task back then. Was this effort anti-libertarian? I still hear arguments that the EPA is ruining our economy with overbearing regulations. But I do like the clean air and water. I like my liberties but what if they turn to gluttony and my actions combined with millions of others cause strain on the system that protects our liberties. Should the government be allowed to limit my actions or my access to universal benefits? Should the government be required to force airlines to provide wider seats to accommodate my eating and exercise habits? When does liberty turn into gluttony and when should society or government step in and say "enough"? 

Liberty is important and at the foundation of our country. But does liberty trump all other rights? Libertarians seem to lose their audience when they take liberty to extremes defying common sense. Our government seems too large to be effective and clearly has a balance sheet that is scary, but should it be drastically re-shaped along libertarian lines? You may argue that the government has exceeded its authority, on the margin, granted in the constitution. This is of course argued in Congress and the courts perpetually. But it is clear that the liberties in the constitution also came with duties (responsibilities). We love to assert our liberties but we seem to forget that they come with explicit and implied duties to our country. Not being a glutton may be one of these implied duties. 

It seems to me that on some scale, liberty and responsibility are vital companions because without responsibility there can be no liberty. In a world with 11 billion people we can see every day the adverse consequences of unfettered procreation, consumption, pollution and lawlessness. A question worth asking is, how do we balance liberty with gluttony?