Reminiscences of a Retired Kindergartner

A few times a week the neighbor casts open his garage doors for twilight beer and darts.  He's Old School all the way.  We keep a beer fridge there which stays full through the honor code.  That took a while to get used to, the successful function of the Beer Code, but then last night it occurred to me that our little drunken Nirvana is founded on principles keen to any decently reared kindergartner.  So then I start trying to think of all the most basic societal ideologies taught to 5 & 6 year olds.

• Be nice.
• Don't tattle.
• Take turns.
• Help someone.
• Mind your own business.
• Don't take what isn't yours.
• Ask to borrow first.
• Share your things.
• Everyone is equal.
• Follow the rules.
• Try your best.
• Save some for the whales.

Kindergarten Libertarianism observed in the wild.

Are kids inspiring because they haven't been burned?  Because they buy into the lies their parents and teachers tell them?  Or because they rightly believe and adhere to the most basic societal codes, creating idealized microsocieties for themselves?  When do these fundamental tenets of human interaction get cast aside by the asymmetric whims of extra-personal asshats?  Haven't figured it all out quite yet, but I'm working on it, one cold beer at a time.