Self-Ownership

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The Issue of Self-Ownership

'Self-ownership' is a fundamental concept in discussions involving human rights and personal freedom. It means embracing every weird facet of your personality, from the inexplicable love for pineapple on pizza to the uncanny ability to attract only the most awkward of social encounters. (Guilty.) If you view American politics as a play performed in a theater, then the concept of self-ownership is a central plot point.

In contemporary American culture, the concept of self-ownership revolves around the differences between the concepts of "property" and of "boundaries".

"The road unwinds towards me, what was there is gone. The road unwinds before me and I go riding on."

"Property" is defined as something owned or belonging to someone, like land or personal possessions, and they tend to have strictly defined legal limitations regarding their control and use. On the other hand, "boundaries" are defined as a real or imagined lines that mark the edge or limit of something and are often vaguely defined and are usually perceived as more malleable regarding their control and use.

"Driven in, driven to the edge. Driven out on the thin end of the wedge. Driven off by things I've never seen. Driven on by the road to somewhere I've never been."

Let's take a look at what each political party has to say about self-ownership.

Republicans on Self-Ownership

"You Own It, Now Pay the Mortgage"

For Republicans, self-ownership is like owning a house — a house you built from scratch, with your own two hands, and you should be darn proud of it. Based on my own views of this area, their primary focus seems to align more closely to individual liberty, promoting personal responsibility, and empowering individuals to make the choices that shape their lives for the better.

However, "better" is a subjective word so the idea of "better how?" largely depends on the person to whom that individual is comparing themselves against (because it's always a comparison). Republicans believe that self-ownership means taking personal responsibility for your life’s decisions, which is all well and good until you find out you need to pay the property taxes, home insurance, and possibly get a loan to cover the latest repairs.

"Driven up and down in circles, skidding down a road of black ice. Staring in and out storm windows, driven to a fool's paradise."

The larger issue for Republicans seems to be the internal dialogue when the CEO (who is you) is angry with the accountant (who is also you) because the corporate budget (otherwise known as "your personal bank account") always seems to fluctuate between "splurge on gadgets" and "panic about bills." It's a delicate art, like balancing a hedgehog on a unicycle - difficult, potentially hazardous, and likely to end in someone getting stuck.

In the Republican worldview, self-ownership is about individual freedom, but only if you don’t mind navigating a labyrinth of regulations and fees. And remember, if you accidentally drop your house key in a pool of government bureaucracy, well, you might want to keep that keychain handy. The Republicans’ favorite mantra is: “You own it, but don’t forget to maintain it according to our arbitrary standards.”

Democrats on Self-Ownership

"You Own It, but Share the Load"

Democrats have a more communal approach to self-ownership. Based on my views in this area, their view of self-ownership seems to focus on individual rights and autonomy, but only within a framework that also values collective responsibility, social justice, and government intervention to promote equality and protect vulnerable populations. It places a stronger emphasis on social and economic policies that aim to address systemic inequalities and promote a more inclusive society.

Imagine self-ownership as a shared community garden plot. You have your own plot to cultivate, but there’s a strong emphasis on making sure everyone in the neighborhood has equal access to water, sunlight, and occasionally, some organic compost from the government (which is arguably what they are the best at).

"Driven day and night in circles, spinning like a whirlwind of leaves. Stealing in and out back alleys, driven to another den of thieves."

In this scenario, self-ownership is less about being completely isolated and more about ensuring that your success doesn’t come at the expense of others. It’s like owning a beautiful, sustainable garden, but you also have to contribute to the communal compost heap and make sure your neighbors have enough tomatoes to go around. The underlying principle? “You own it, but we’re all in this together — so don’t mind if we drop by to help (or ask for some of your veggies).”

The larger issue for Democrats seems to be the personal responsibilities that come with self-ownership, like remembering to feed yourself something other than instant ramen, attempting feats of physical prowess like yoga (or, as I like to call it, "organized falling"), and trying not to accidentally embarrass yourself at family gatherings by reenacting those dance moves from that one 90's music video.

Libertarians on Self-Ownership

"You Own It, No Questions Asked"

Libertarians, on the other hand, view self-ownership as a solo journey on an open road with no speed limits and zero traffic cops. For them, self-ownership is about absolute freedom and minimal interference from anyone else. You own your life, your property, and even your pets, and it’s all yours to manage as you see fit.

Libertarians essentially look at the topic of self-ownership as one of "personal boundaries" implying that you have the right (and responsibility) to make decisions about your own body and life without external interference; that you are the ultimate authority over yourself, your labor, your talents, and even your own "moral space". In practical terms, self-ownership means that you have the right to determine how you use your body as long as your actions do not harm anyone else (thus taking away their right to live their life as they see fit).

"It's my turn to drive, but it's my turn to drive."

In the Libertarian dreamscape, self-ownership means you can have a pet tiger, start a moon cheese business, or live off-grid in a house made of recycled cans — whatever floats your boat. The catch? If your pet tiger eats your moon cheese, you’re completely on your own. The Libertarian motto is: “You own it, and we’re not even going to ask how.”

The larger issue with Libertarians is their constant negotiation between the "adult" and the "inner child". For instance, the "adult" wants to wake up early, hit the gym, and eat a balanced breakfast. The "inner child" wants to binge-watch Netflix until 3 a.m., survive on a diet of cookies, and wear mismatched socks to a really important meeting just for the thrill of it.

But personal freedom implies personal responsibility. Because you own yourself, you are ultimately responsible for your own well-being. Sure, that sounds like a blissful spa day with scented candles and cucumber eye masks, but it's more about remembering to drink water (who knew hydration would be so important?), occasionally putting on pants (or not, if you work from home), and resisting the urge to Google your symptoms at 3 a.m. until you finally succeed at diagnosing yourself with the Bubonic Plague.

"Self-ownership as 'boundaries'" is setting our own limits on what we allow ourselves to do (and to have done) to or for ourselves, but as a legal individual, no one (including the government) is obligated to feed you, clothe you, or provide you with health care.

"Driven to the margin of error, driven to the edge of control, driven to the margin of terror, driven to the edge of a deep, dark hole."

While Republicans, Democrats, and Libertarians each have their own unique takes on self-ownership, one thing is clear: no matter where you stand, there’s always a twist in the tale. Whether it’s navigating bureaucratic mazes, sharing the garden plot, or taking on the wild, untamed frontier of absolute freedom, self-ownership is a journey with plenty of unexpected detours.

So, fellow self-owners, buckle up and enjoy the journey because life is too short to take yourself too seriously. Embrace the chaos, dance like no one is watching (well, except your cat who is always judging you from the couch), and never forget to cherish the wonderfully weird person you've become - because owning yourself is the greatest adventure of all.