Recently, my innocent toyota camry was towed mercilessly by Automotive Enforcement agents hired by Tower Village Apartments. I was parked next to the dumpster near the bar–a stone’s throw from a designated visitor’s spot and moreover in an already sparsely occupied Old Mill parking lot considering the holiday. As Joe and I drove out to FT. WORTH to claim my car, I could not help but blame America for my misfortune.
We love rules. We accept them, we trust them, we never question them, we breathe them in, we cuddle with them, we bring them home to meet our parents then put shiny rings on them. I marvelled at the fact that a private company–not police backed–could be hired to pick up my car (in the middle of the night…my bones!), drag it across to Ft. Worth, barricade it within wrought iron fencing, and charge me to retrieve it. I could complain about my personal experience far more, but I am attempting to make a broader cultural claim than my petty run-ins with Old Mill Administration. Our willingness to bend over for government rules–e.g. stopping at red lights in the middle of the night at an empty intersection–even leads us to accept privately enforced regulations. Our sincerity and obedience as Americans is truly stunning. At times, this attitude provides the necessary infrastructure through which we “kick-ass” in regards to economy and overall safety. However, it leaves commonsense vulnerable, the practical wisdom which would, say, run that red light in a shady neighborhood in which personal safety is a concern, or even allow one’s son to drink a beer at a family celebration though he is underage. The loss of practical wisdom breeds what I tell people is American “All or Nothing.” Cigarettes are either good or evil, there is no compromise. Art is either good or bad (wink to Avatar debaters). Education is either practical or impractical. There will be no rest until we figure out the rule.

On a further note, and I attribute this thought to Jessica Williamson… In a way, what has been said testifies to the fact that of the three transcendents (the good, the true, the beautiful), American mores are mostly ordered from pursuit of the good. The perfect example of a culture more inclined and ordered to the beautiful would be Italy. Cross a Roman street and see how much they care about the rules. Try to talk about the natural causes of a sunset and watch them put out a cigarette on your forearm.