subject: Freedom does always imply responsibility [print this page] Freedom does always imply responsibility Freedom does always imply responsibility
Autuum 2008 the Norwegian businessman Bjarte Baasland became convicted for fraud after gambling away 60 millions Norwegian kroner (about 10 million US dollars). His father, bishop in Stavanger, gave up his position and his mother became broke. Reason: their son tricked them to borrow him huge amounts of money, in order for him to invest them. His parents did so. This was their biggest mistake. Cause he spent all the money on casino gambling, and lost app. 10 million US Dollars.
Following this incident, Norwegian authorities invented new laws, forbidding Norwegian banks and financial institutions to transfer money from Norwegian private bank accounts into foreign gambling sites.
Perhaps this was an action the government just had to do in order to state that they assume foreign gambling to be moral improper. Or, it was a good argument to protect the state monopolized gambling activities under the company "Norsk Tipping". But it was not a valid argument to support the Government Pension Fund of Norway (worth 2640 billion Norwegian Kroner) investments in foreign casinos services...
The tragedy caused by the Bishops son shed some light on the fact that some people lack internal mental limits. In fact, this is assumed as a mental disorder, a disorder which needs treatment. But, is it a justified action to punish an entire population because of the faults of one man? It is a fact that most people are able to control their own actions, because they know that an action leads to a reaction. This is basic childhood wisdom.
Freedom is the gift the western ideology is built upon. Freedom is also a gift granted individually. You are supposed to be responsible for your own actions. If you use your freedom wrong, you have to take the consequence. This is the basic idea, and it is very hard to argue against it.
The Baasland case has arrived into the spotlight again, since Baasland wants to sue the gambling company which let him burn away all the money. The case is lifted to the Norwegian Supreme Court.
But, again: This is a case of personal tragedy and perhaps mental illness. This is the sad story of a man who where able to trick investors and his own family in order to finance his obviously highly developed gambling addiction. Is it the gambling companies fault that he did so? If so, when will the demand for suing all alcohol producers in the entire world for killing people each day? In the US alone alcohol is suspected to cause 75000 deaths.
The individual freedom will always have a cost. This is a fact, a fact we just have to live with. Governmental laws and regulations will never take away the bad habits and the willingness to act as free individuals, and thanks for that. Otherwise, we might end up with a society we absolutely won't have. Yes, freedom will have its costs, but this is not an argument to strangle the individual freedom.
Norway has taken a dangerous step when the authorities actually have decided that Norwegian citizens are not allowed to decide over their own hard earned and heavy taxed money.
The original source (in Norwegian) is here: http://www.nordencasino.com/2010/06/det-personlige-ansvar/
