anyone who lives in amish country knows they are above the law, they are not required to obey the same laws the rest of us are.
Not true. They are finding themselves limited and governed by many of the same regulations as the rest of us are. Sure, within a state where they make a a significantly sized minority community, they may be allowed certain exemptions which others are not permitted due to their religious beliefs which govern their social and economic culture.
Would that we all had their independance....from government. But we don't! And we can hang that hat on the fact that WE HAVE FAILED in instilling similar faith based values into the exercise of our living and because WE HAVE FAILED to stand.... and when persecuted, to continue to stand and pay the price peacably, against government, even as they have in various instances, until someone hears our voice and takes note of our own righteous cause.
I don't understand the bitterness over the Amish being 'treated' different. They pay their own way. If they don't pay into social security.... its because they save and provide for their own and their families and the orphan and widow who is truely orphaned and widow indeed..... without family to help them. They work hard, live frugally, save, preserve, and help one another.
I say, since the Amish either doctor and nurse their own within the community and take care of their elderly without government assistance..... and since they pay their medical bills with cash.... or collectively come to the aid of someone excessively burdened with medical expenses..... they are no charge to the federal funds such that they should be brought under bondage due to the rest of us.... as equals.
The trick now is..... how do we become more like them? If that is truely what we desire? They pay their price in their willingness to labor hard and do without many of the conveniences most of us take for granted. Would we be as willing to go back to the scrub boards and crank washers and wringers and hang our clothes on a line? Would we require that every girl learns how to sew her own clothes and underwear? Would we require that men learn how to make shoes and sew buttons and make nets and carpentry with hand tools? Would we be willing to be warmed in a house with hot and cold areas produced by a fireplace or coal or wood stove or stand alone oil heater? Would we be willing to plant and till the weeds and produce our own gardens? Then harvest and shell the peas, and chop the veggies, and cut the corn? Then cook down the sauces, strain the fruit, jar the food and the meat for winter time and disasters? To cook our own bread and grind our own meal? To depend on animals for transportation or bicycles or walk?
I detect a lot of resentment on this board from some who perceive that the Amish are treated different! It's without forethought regarding the fact that the Amish made a choice.... a good while back.... and have stuck by their choice which is based on their faith in God's providence.
I'm not saying that we should have to undo the technology by which we survive and our lives are made easier..... but we should have, as a faith driven group based upon scripture, have had the foresight, when government started instituting all its social programs upon the people 'for our good'.... to say NO, We'll do without to share with those around us who are deserving of our help and wherever possible, find ways to include those who can help some, to assist us without the benefit and intrusion of government upon our prosperity or our independance!
