Matters 4

Note: Matters 3 was unavailable; using Matters 4 today

Safety of Things: similar to Safety of Person, safety of things refers to all forms of property. This includes property, buildings, equipment, furniture, appliances, clothing and all sorts of physical things. These are typically owned by an individual or a group of people like associations, corporations and that sort of thing.

Things are an important feature of American life. Keeping up with the Joneses was a common saying through much of my early life. Buying bigger or better than someone else was the mark that a person was better than another. Much effort was invested in looking better than others through the clothing and styling of our hair and other worn accoutrements. A biggie was the shinier, bigger and more costly car adorning the driveway. Or the house, its exterior décor and size being a major measure of superiority. And property, of course, was a huge mark of better than. Its location, size and features (mountains, rivers, lakes, et al) added allure and value. Other property such as commercial shops and manufacturing facilities by which income was earned and values increased. All of these property things were to be protected by government at all costs. After all, these were often the elements that defined America.

National defense was the largest means of protection, of course, but local and regional police powers were the most prominent. Police were called to protect the home and store from robbery, arson and many other threats. Entire court systems were invented and expanded end over end to accommodate the volume of cases involving property. Even ideas and other forms of intellectual property were added to the mix. Even intent to use an idea for gain is a property suggested for theft and protection. How real is intent – a thought, a feeling or urge – to be sufficiently considered a real thing like property?

You see where this is going? Ours is an intent social order focused on things and the suggestion of power. It is thus actionable and real. I wonder what the Founding Fathers would have thought of that!

At any rate, safety of things is a matter that matters in America.

September 10, 2025

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