Amish - model conservatives?
As I mentioned in my previous post, TMEW and I are in the heart of the Amish country. In looking at their culture, it does make one think about how their lifestyle contrasts with our own. It has demanded of me that I review some of my own fundamental beliefs about how I live my life, and if perhaps, we should learn and apply something from this culture that many look upon as “backward”. Actually, in many ways, they are very much square with conservative philosophies.
Quickly stated, they believe in their faith and their family, and much of their culture is structured around protecting those two important aspects from the ill effects of the outside culture. They feel that much of the modern life is opposed to both of those pillars of their philosophy and have made the deliberate decision to abandon much of what we consider normal life to maintain that focus. In essence, they have refused to compromise their standards. It is not an easy life (for instance, I would not have a livelihood at all!) and quite austere; yet, it works for them.
They are a literate society – although formal education stops after the eighth grade (see my previous post here), they continue to be well read and informed. They are certainly advocates for entrepreneurship – most families own their own business (be they farms or trade businesses). They pay all taxes that we do (unless self-employed – then they do not pay Social Security taxes). And 95% of their businesses succeed versus the “English” (as we are called) average of about 15%. They are a can-do community and are willing to work very hard and very long in order to be successful. Just looking at their farms, I could see the empirical evidence of this – unlike many farms in NH, all of the farmhouses and farm buildings were neat and well taken care of. None were in ramshackle condition.
They are also a helpful community – when someone needs assistance, help arrives. We heard of a number of instances when one of the families lost their barn (and these are not small buildings at all), the community would come in for a “barn raising” - often completing it in a week. Similarly, a new couple will receive the same assistance as they get started.
They eschew insurance – both medical and property. In the former case, they pay cash. If needed, the local church district to which they belong assists with any medical bills. Property insurance – see above).
Oh, the Social Security tax? They may pay it if they work for someone else but when they get to the age where they collect, they refuse. To them, family is important, and they have not lost the lesson that intergenerational families matter. It is expected that when the parents have finished raising their children and become grandparents (families average about seven children), the youngest son will care for his parents. He generally inherits the farm, but will also build an addition to the house that we would call an in-law apartment (again, the community pitches in).
All in all, they stress self-reliance and voluntary community assistance and refuse to be dependent on the government. All in all, they wish to be left alone to live their lives as they see fit
Is it too late to learn German?
