Civil Disobedience

Henry David Thoreau

Government is only as good or bad as the people who run it.  It is not evil in itself nor is it good in itself, or as he says, "but, to speak practically and as a citizen unlike those who call themselves no government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government.  Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step towards obtaining it".  In other words a government closer to the ideas of equality and justice that we are entitled to according to the Declaration.

In the above passage, I believe Thoreau is saying that having government organize and protect society is not a bad thing to have in place.  However, it should be run in a manner that promotes equality and justice for all.  He's stating that, if you have corrupted people in office that is not looking out for every one's best interest as a whole, it's the people in office who has mismanaged the affairs and/or has not protected the people of society.  It's not just the mere fact that you have government organizing affairs. It is ultimately the people in office making decisions, rules and regulations.  He also doesn't feel there should be no government, just a change or reorganization of government to make things better.  Thoreau is expressing that everyman should take a stance and let government know what they expect from them.  Man should not just accept everything government puts on the table. Make it to whereas government  have to earn the respect of the people.  Hopefully, by doing this, government would make things more favorable and equal for everyone.

I chose this passage because I believe this is a true concept in everyday life.  I work in the health care industry and have worked at many organizations.  A hospital is a hospital no matter where you go and performs basically the same task on a daily basis.  Some hospitals I have worked at have been excellent and others not so good.  What made the difference was how the hospital was ran.  The rules and regulations differed  from hospital to hospital and it's the "people" in leadership who put the rules and regulations in place.  A lot of the time the rules and regulations benefit the organization and not so much the employees. I feel this is where it ties into what Thoreau is stating, it not the fact that there is a government in place that makes the difference, it's the people within the organization that makes the rule which produces the outcome, that makes the difference.  I totally agree with the last point he makes in his passage,  If people don't believe something is right or unjust, they should take a stance and work together towards change. Make the organization respect them to hopefully promote equality for all.