Slippery Slopes and Dangerous Paths
“Slippery slope” and “once you start down that path” – people use these analogies as an excuse to oppose reasonable legislation. The example that is foremost in my mind is the federal legalization of marijuana, even when recommended by a physician. Opponents often argue that if medicinal marijuana is legalized on a federal level, the legalization of meth, PCP, and crack will surely soon follow. We can’t allow fear of more drastic future measures to stop us from enacting policies and laws that make sense and are reasonable.
Let’s consider literal slippery slopes and progressively dangerous paths. I love the outdoors and hiking in washes. Washes are full of slippery slopes, and often become more hazardous the farther in you go. I’m cautious, but if I didn’t traverse slippery slopes I wouldn’t have experienced the beauty of Cleopatra Wash, Fire Canyon, or Anniversary Narrows. If I begin to slip, I evaluate whether it’s worth continuing. Similarly, if I start down the path into a wash, I know when it’s become too treacherous and it’s time to turn around. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t worth going as far as was advisable.
We can show the same restraint and vigilance when the slopes and paths are metaphorical. Let’s not be afraid to do what is right because of our fear of what might happen next. We don’t let similar fear stop us from participating in recreational activities; why do we let it stop us from acting on issues of importance?
Eat Write and Exorcise 