On the way home from walking the wee one to school I saw a lady standing in the street, outside her truck, on the phone. The hazard blinkers were flickering.
She had a flat tire and was on the phone with the tire place.
I offered to help, and was taken up on that offer. She had a jack and a lug wrench and seemed ready to go.
I was able to loosen 4 of 5 lug nuts but that last one would not budge. I stood on the lug wrench and the wrench bent, but the nut didn’t break. A passer-by offered some help but also didn’t break free that nut.
So, the lady ended up calling the tire store. Their truck has the necessary pneumatic device and a quick zzzzipp, the stubborn nut was free.
The tire was changed, she was able to get home to get ready for work and I did nothing measurable.
We shook hands. She thanked me for at least stopping to offer. I continued walking home and she went on her way.
Is volunteering like a tree in the woods. If you don’t accomplish anything, did you volunteer?
In a circle of libertarian thinking there is a group called the voluntaryists. The premise is simple: engage in activity you want to free of coercion.
Buying a soda or groceries seems pretty simple. You give the cashier cash or digits and they let you take the groceries. Shoes and gas are the same. But, try that with labor. Or cannabis. Those exchanges are not free from coercion or government.
I’m getting a bit far from the helping the lady example. The point is that a voluntary act to help or purchase or sell ought to be between the consumer and the seller. Will some people be meany pants and cheat? Of course. And in another newsletter we can address those issues.
Today the point is stop to help the person who needs help. It helps build a community of respect and appreciation and friendship. Even if your help really wasn’t help, there’s a grace in the offer and grace is a good thing.
Join me in my digital community, my Eating Liberty facebook group where you won’t stop to help anyone change a tire, but you might help someone who seeks an answer.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/eatingliberty
Have a great weekend.
Dann
Dann@culinarylibertarian.com
