by Dennis Banaag

Created on: January 20, 2009

As the people of the United States, as well as the people of the world watch Obama's inauguration today, we just can't help but think about the issues floating in the air. Issues that were raised by skeptics who doubts the new president's capability and programs to improve the quality of life.

I am not a democrat nor a republican, I simply stand for what I believe in. I look up to people who fights for the same belief that I have and would support them. But I would not join the same wagon and support all their ideas especially if I do not share the same opinion.

For me, individual freedom is being able to fight for what you believe in, and being able to renounce things that you disagree with. Individual freedom is the opposite of stereotyping. To attain individual freedom, you should not join any band wagon just for the sake of joining, or because everyone is joining.

Looking at the political arena, I just can't help to notice other skeptics. For me, there are two types of skepticism. Most common skepticism is the skepticism that is based on intention. There are a lot of people who airs their doubts and concerns about a certain issue and are very vocal about their opinions. Sad to say, after all the smoke has cleared, you can clearly see the reason for their skepticism, they think someone else or even themselves can do it better.

The second group of skeptics, and I hope more individuals can identify themselves as such, are people who asks questions and raises doubt because they are not sure if a particular person or program can improve their way of life. They ask question not because they think someone else can do it better. They ask questions to gain better understanding. And it is up to the person to make these skeptics believe.

I think if all people belongs to the second group, political division will be a thing of the past. Some may say that if we achieve individual freedom, there would be chaos. They may ask, how can there be harmony if everyone has their own beliefs? Having individual freedom does not mean everyone will have their own belief. It simply means, you have the freedom of choice, the choice to fight for what you believe in. It simply means that you will believe in something because majority believes in it too. It does not mean that if Bradd Pitt believes in it, you will believe in it too. Individual freedom means you have the chance to scrutinize things before you believe in them. And if we achieve individual freedom, the world will be a better place to live in.

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