"HUMAN OPTIONS"

In his book "HUMAN OPTIONS", Norman Cousins says "Two hundred years ago, a great nation was founded on the idea that the strength of a country begins with moral concepts, the truth of which is confirmed in the natural response of human beings and in the history of the race. If we want that nation to go on for another two hundred years, we will dispense with the nonsense that moral values are incidental and that the national interest can stand apart from the human interest".

Further he writes "Democracy is the only political philosophy that entitles and enables the individual to say "no" to government--and get away with it. Indeed, the one word most expressive of democracy is "no". Democracy says "no" to the government that would invade the natural rights of the individual or the group. It says "no" to the government that would push people around, even though this may mean that the people push the government around. The American Constitution is more specific concerning what shall not be apart of the structure of government than it is concerning what shall. The words "no" and "not" are conspicuous in every article and section. Nowhere are those two words more evidence than in the "Bill of Rights."

..."One of our difficulties is that people at the top of government spend so much time on strategy that almost no time is spent on history. There are so many movers and shakers that there is hardly any room for thinkers."

Norman Cousins was way ahead of his time. He was a man of many colors. It might not be a bad idea to consider what he has to say in "HUMAN OPTIONS." He is no longer of this realm but his wisdom and thoughtful concern for all of human kind is still with us.