The Biggest “What If”
Some people believe in past lives. Some people are curious about it. Some people reject it completely.
Whether you believe in reincarnation or not, consider this: what if you come back and live again. Would your political decisions be different if you had to come back and live under the effect of what you decided today?
Some political decisions are easy to dodge by just not confronting them on the basis of “It doesn’t affect me; I won’t be around to see what happens”. The thinking is that we let it slide off our backs onto the backs of the next generation. They are the ones who will be here to deal with it.
An example would be Social Security. Most seniors do not want to confront what will happen down the road. They are happy to accept the benefits today and reluctant to fight for what it might mean to the next generation. But what if you come back and have to grow up and live under the decisions that are made today. If it was you (reincarnated) and at the effect of policy made today, you might might not be willing to stand back and spectate. You might take action.
The massive unfunded liability of Social Security over the next few decades means a reduction in spending or an incresasein taxes – or both. Unless something is done now, the liabilities will mature and there is no provision is place to fund it.
This is not to say you should believe in “past lives” or reincarnation. That’s up to you. But, it doesn’t hurt to think of the future as if you will be there. You might not be as apathetic or ambivalent if it affects you (a theoretical reincarnated you) directly. This “what if” is a way of side-checking your decision to support an issue or take action.
On the ouside chance you might come back, you might want to do something about some of the issues that face us today.
