The Right To Wish, Play, and Make Money

Germany seems to be a lot bigger on holidays and festivals than the States. And every region has it's own "national" holidays. I'm still not sure how they all work, and to be honest, I don't know if I can know, because there are too many for my head to sort out in a mere six months. 

After here a couple weeks, the family I am staying with said that they were having a festival for children's rights next week. 

Sarcastically, my mind thoughts, "The right to what? Vote?" 

Yes, I know what sort of rights they actually meant. But my brain likes to be ornery. Thankfully, my mouth is smarter and didn't spill out my sarcasm. 

For those of you that wonder, here's a page that lists just what they mean by children's rights. 

 The event started with all the children from the area going on stage and singing and speaking their "wishes" for the governor to fulfill.

This was quite interesting (especially as I could only understand bits and pieces of the German). Supposedly, because of the laws in Germany, schools and children can't simply raise money or have benefit auctions for what they want. You have to have a permit or license to sell anything and everything. 

The way I sell essential oils on this blog, or bread on Facebook, or the way I'm self-employed; all of that would be illegal in Germany. Because I never had permission from the government or had my bread approved by any health department.

So, the children must ask the governor for what they want. And hopefully, he attends or hears somehow, and fulfills their requests by the next year.

"It's a great way of teaching children that they can achieve whatever they want," someone told me.

"No offense," I said. "But that's not what real achievement. To me, achieving is to learn to do something on your own or to make it. Not asking for someone else to just give it to you."

"Yes, true. But that's not allowed here."

Isn't that just so sad? These children must learn to beg for handouts, never allowed to actually work or earn for anything of their own. They aren't being taught to be successful in their own right but to rely on another. This, at its core, is socialism. This is government owning all resources and granting it to those who beg loudest, giving to those who they decide "need it".

 Also, many of the requests were obviously mature in nature, and not something children could think of on their own.

The kindergarteners asked that "drive slowly, children at play" signs are posted at all nursery's and schools. (I was surprised that all schools didn't already have that? Another issue with socialism: when you give the government all control, they will not use it to the benefit of the people.)

There are many immigrants around where I live. I love diversity, but it is interesting to see how the people are affecting the economy. I do think it's good they have open arms, but Germany is hurting for it.

A bunch of immigrant boys got up to make their "wish" known, and it was much more child-like. They wished for go-carts. Cute, for sure. But so sad that they aren't allowed to raise the money and buy their own, but must wait to see if their requests will be given.

After that, there were many activities (and foods to buy, though because of the children's allergies, we had to stay away from most of that).

I really loved the first one the kids did.

The library put a bunch of their old books in a wooden bin and let children "fish" them out.

 There were quite a few people there, and booths set up all around the perimeters, each one with something for children. Some had activities with prizes, some had free toothbrushes, and some had crafts.

One thing that impressed me was that there was little to no trash and very little plastic. And some things were what our American social services would deem unsafe or unsanitary, but which I thought amazing because it was real and fun for children.

 The idea of this game was to have two sets of items in a row and to have every other row full of different items. I thought it neat that they used the same apple throughout the entirety of the afternoon. Definitely bruised and covered in many kids' fingerprints byt the end of the day ;)

E sitting in a Polizei van and wearing one of their uniform hats. The Police officer was there also to speak to children and hand them fliers and quizzes, and to talk to them if they wanted.

 E sifting shells out of the sand.

 E tasting foods blindfolded and saying what it is. I had to ask in German if  "Gibt es Eier in dem geschmacktest? Sie hat Ei allergie." Is there eggs in the taste tests? She has egg allergies. 

At least that's what I think I said.
The lady said, "Vielleicht in der Schokolade?"

So we passed on the chocolate.

And she tasted Zitrone (lemon), Paprika (bell pepper), Apfel (apple), and Zimt (cinnamon—yes, they actually gave her a little cinnamon on a spoon!).

The funniest thing (to me) was that they used the same spoons for all the children. One lady put the food onto the spoon and handed it to the other lady. That lady would tell the child to open out her hand, and then she'd take the food off the spoon and put it into the child's hand. Then set the spoon aside (they had one spoon for each food), and do it again with the next food. Unless it was cinnamon, then it all went into the child's mouths.

I totally don't see that being allowed in the states. But I think it's great ;D I'm all for not being terrified of a few harmless germs.

Oh, and that lady wearing the green scarf was so much fun. I learned so much German from her, just listening to her talking to the children. She was so enthusiastic and laughed so much with the children and really egged them up with "Oooohhh, weist du?" or laughing at their faces, or encouraging them on toward the correct answers. Her enthusiasm was gorgeous.

There was a table where children could make bracelets. They cut a bit of tube from this large coil, then corked one end and stuffed it with crinkled bits of wrapping paper, then connected the cork to the other end.

So ingenious, and resourceful, and fun!

 The two little ones with their mother making bracelets.

 E rolling around the parking lot. There were several of these things there for children to play in. Don't you see some adults in the States trying to outlaw this fun for kids?

"But you might bust your head open," Our crazy social workers.

"Oh, but their heads are spinning with imagination, something you lost long ago under all your fear and laws," me in defense of the children.

 There were all these bits of wood for children to build stuff with, that took up a huge part of space at the festival. Quite a few little boys spent a good portion of their time there.

 E trying to get all five her balls into the holes up the other side. Took her three rounds, but she did win a piece of candy at last.

There was this hilarious clown there ... I learned tons of German from him, too. He wore a doll on his back and big yellow rain boots, and had the children running after him all afternoon. That guy had some energy, and really made the children's day.

E getting ready to slide down a platform. There were choices between crates of flat boards ... there were no railings on the thing they slid down. To be honest, I was kinda scared the kids would top off even as I admired the fact that kids do something like this.

I guess the orange cones are what keeps them on the platform as they slide down, lol. But seriously, I didn't notice any accidents happening. And there were a couple adults there to make sure kids got on the right way and went down correctly.

The boy on the far left is the oldest of the kids. He is part of this program called Young Fire Fighters. Kind of like boy-scouts, but much more impressive because they aren't forced to be sissys. Like, they are actually allowed to do and own boyish things like fire-lighters and pocket-knives. And they get to help learn about fire fighting with the grown-ups.

At the end of the festival, all the young firefighters go to put out a small man-made fire.

E and I, exhausted after the end of an exciting day. 

Overview of thoughts

So as you can see, I have quite a few blunt opinions in this post about socialism and how that relates to our being responsible, mature adults. 

And then as you see, there were also quite a few things that I loved about how the festival was done, and how I think Germany is doing quite well toward its children. Or basically, that it's allowing its children to be free to be children, unlike our progressive statism. 

So which is it, socialism or statism? 

Neither is the simplified answer. 

I'm for freedom of the individual. I believe our system still allows for some things, better than Germany, in that we still haven't given America complete right to "permit" us to live life and pursue wealth. We still have an ounce of capitalism left in us, though USA is heading down a steep dangerous path, that without a breaks and some sharp u-turns could pour us straight into full-force socialism. 

Yet ... when socialism does happen full force, several things result. 

• Less personal freedom. And with that, the right to personal contracts and promises. Because we've not signed away our individuality, and must always have someone to intermediate between the two of us to make sure it's fair for everyone. 

• Less caring about the individual. Which is good (children can play and get dirty without being reported and adults aren't prone to so sue happy because it just doesn't happen) and also bad  (because then you have children begging for cautionary road signs, and no one to care whether they have them or not, and those who do care are unable to do a thing about it because of the forfeiture of their personal rights and freedom). 

• Less love of work. There's something about working for something that is yours. But it's quite hard to work for because you have to work, and there's no reward in it. And I'm not just talking about monetary reward, though it is awful that over half of wages seem to be taken here in taxes and tithes. 

• Less love of life. I haven't seen much love for the every day here. You always love something when it's yours by the effort of your own hands. But here everything seems to be granted. 

• Less value of everything. Of money, of life, of words. Germany still is known for making and producing quality things. But they are not known for good customer service (they seem to think America has it better, haha!), and as of yet I really haven't seen a store that actually sells anything of quality. I mean, you can find those stores ...

When it comes down to it, it's up the individual. 

It's always an individual who defies the norm, who says, "I will make it better." 

There's always someone who sees hope in the rubbish and creates beauty. 

There's always someone who dreams for humanity. 

Such people produce. 

Such people influence. 

Such people lead others to change. 

They are the exemption, the ones who make something that is worth having, who love their life and their thoughts, who love the people around them, and who see clearly to make life better for others, starting with themselves. 

The saddest thing, is progressive people desire to do the right thing; to be selfless and modern and considerate. They don't want to think of the individual, of their right to do and live. Of their rights at all. 

The problem with we conservatives is we often like to throw the baby out with the bathwater and condemn anything and everything of those we disagree with.

We shouldn't do that.

Germany is beautiful, and there are many things we can and should learn from it. But we can learn without embracing everything about it. America can still keep her freedom and improve on it. 

Actually, America must improve on her freedom, because already she's blindly becoming more and more socialistic by not paying attention and guarding herself. 

We are individuals who have sway. 

The battles we choose to fight ... and lose ... determine everything. 

Have you had much contact with socialism, of anything like this festival? I'd love to hear your thoughts! Also, do you agree or disagree that the children's activities were just so lovely?