The Lenses of Reformation Concerning Amendment 1
by Dr. Patti Amsden
Right to Work and union discussions must be viewed in the light of the realm of business and the management of personal assets. The business arena functions when each person brings material resources, intellectual properties, or personal property into the market to be exchanged with others. On the basic level, each person brings what is his.
Reformation lens #1 - Personal property is fundamental
Next, each person decides how, with whom, and for what he will exchange. Each person makes choices and benefits or loses from his choice. Personal property mandates personal responsibility and leads to personal liabilities.
Reformation lens #2 - Free-will contracts are paramount
Thirdly, an individual or a group of people may negotiate the terms of contracts. Fraternal groups, often called unions, may be voluntarily formed by either side to help influence the outcome of the negotiations. No coercion may be applied by either side because coercion is a form of theft. The civil realm should not league with either side as the threat of punishment by the law introduces a form of coercion. All forms of coercion in free-will exchanges are forbidden.
Reformation lens #3 - Forced fraternity deprives people of free-will
Finally, loving one's neighbor protects the market from theft and abuses in all forms. Fair exchanges and honest execution of contracts are acts of love. Whereas the civil realm may not league with either party of a contract negotiation in an attempt to produce an artificial or man-determined fair or loving contract, the civil realm must execute judgment against either side that violates the free-will contract.
Reformation lens #4 – Personal responsibility and local jurisdiction prevails over far-reaching bureaucratic rule
Once the lenses have been identified, they must serve as the gird through which the problem is studied. Any attempt to bring a solution by discarding one or several of the lenses may temporarily solve a part of the original issue but will not produce sustainable reformation. As Reformers, we must think on the topic of right to work vs. unions. Ponder the issues. Apply the lenses. And, while you do so, you may wish to read again Jesus' story of the vineyard owner to hired workers all throughout the day. Matthew 20:1-16
Reformation lens #1 - Personal property is fundamental
Next, each person decides how, with whom, and for what he will exchange. Each person makes choices and benefits or loses from his choice. Personal property mandates personal responsibility and leads to personal liabilities.
Reformation lens #2 - Free-will contracts are paramount
Thirdly, an individual or a group of people may negotiate the terms of contracts. Fraternal groups, often called unions, may be voluntarily formed by either side to help influence the outcome of the negotiations. No coercion may be applied by either side because coercion is a form of theft. The civil realm should not league with either side as the threat of punishment by the law introduces a form of coercion. All forms of coercion in free-will exchanges are forbidden.
Reformation lens #3 - Forced fraternity deprives people of free-will
Finally, loving one's neighbor protects the market from theft and abuses in all forms. Fair exchanges and honest execution of contracts are acts of love. Whereas the civil realm may not league with either party of a contract negotiation in an attempt to produce an artificial or man-determined fair or loving contract, the civil realm must execute judgment against either side that violates the free-will contract.
Reformation lens #4 – Personal responsibility and local jurisdiction prevails over far-reaching bureaucratic rule
Once the lenses have been identified, they must serve as the gird through which the problem is studied. Any attempt to bring a solution by discarding one or several of the lenses may temporarily solve a part of the original issue but will not produce sustainable reformation. As Reformers, we must think on the topic of right to work vs. unions. Ponder the issues. Apply the lenses. And, while you do so, you may wish to read again Jesus' story of the vineyard owner to hired workers all throughout the day. Matthew 20:1-16
