After Thoughts on Independence

by Murray McGrath

Do you want freedom or security?

You cannot have both.

Security is essential for a child but requires obedience and containment. Growing up is becoming independent.

Independence is freedom to be yourself; to live, love and relate to all life in an individual, constructive and harmonious way.

Genuine democracy in small communities, regions and nations would enable individuals to influence society. Having an influence encourages thinking and acting for the good of self and others. Without it, thinking for one’s self is discouraged and conformity prevails. Freedom is lost.

“Be a good obedient consumer. Keep our economy competitive and growing so that we, the controllers of this fine civilised society, can continue to get richer. Don’t worry, we will look after you. You are entirely free to entertain yourselves as you will and do what you like, as long as it doesn’t interfere with the status quo. Through the media, we will help you to form opinions and advise you what to think. To maintain this healthy, happy situation, keep shopping, enjoy your entertainments and support the establishment with your votes. Trust us; we know what is best for you!”

“No thanks!”

Although there is a long way to go to reach real freedom, it is worth striving for and every opportunity for progress is worth taking. Independence of small countries is a move in the right direction.

A happy healthy society is like a healthy ecology; a wide diversity of creatures living together in balanced complexity, free from power and profit oriented human interference.

This cannot work for large nations. Size results in the temptations of power, the imbalance of the few, and ultimately the killing fields of war.

Small democratic units are more likely to be happy and co-operate peacefully.

Restrain the expression of character, and you get selfishness and negativity. If its diversity is acknowledged and encouraged however, the result is positive and outgoing. It’s a question of identity.

Feeling significant as a person, a family, a community or a country is the basis for health and happiness. And that encourages good relations among all.

Being given power is not what it’s about.

“Oh, thank you London, thank you England, even thank you Britain for the powers you have decided to give us! You are too kind!”

“No thanks!”

“Just set us free to be our self!”

NOTE: Murray McGrath composed this homily on Skyros. towards the end of his life.