To the editor:
I am writing in response to the letter from Ms. Fisk (Letters, Times, Monday, Jan. 30).
Ms. Fisk, the major cause of the dysfunction in our society today is the simple fact, that the Golden Rule — do unto others, as you put it — simply does not work.
According to your logic, a masochist should go about inflicting pain on others, because he himself enjoys having pain inflicted upon him. What the Golden Rule should say are the words of the first century Rabbi Gamiel, who, when asked to recite the law while standing on one leg, said, "What is hurtful to you, do not do to others!"
And so, in that encapsulated version of the Ten Commandments originated the basis for our present-day "do unto others."
It was with that civility the "framers" hammered out our Constitution, protecting "We the People!" from any tyranny perpetrated by the government — and in isolated cases, each other.
GERALD MAHIEU
Langsford Street, Gloucester
