Is it a race or a battle? Is it fun and games politics? Is it a soap opera contest? What is running for office of the president of the United States?
Actually, it’s an activity that runs the gamut of a long list of conditions, particularly when it involves so many for so long, at such a high price.
Here we are just a few weeks before the actual election, to determine if a Republican or Democrat will be President. To decide if a black or a white male will be president. And if anything should happen to the principals, if a man or a woman would be president.
We have been saturated 24/7 for almost two years with news about the election process and the candidates. This morning, when I turned on the TV, I was delighted to watch a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Listening to the political news every day, at a time when I think it’s gotten as bad as it’s going to get, a new level of vicious attacks erupts from one side or the other.
The American people are promised everything in a free lunch basket filled with goodies. With no tax raise, we’re promised health care, education, lower energy costs and a laundry list of everything from A to Zizzard. That is with one exception, which is a promise for political government to get off our backs.
When the British Empire, headed by a King, became so controlling of the lives and property of those American colonies, they dumped tea in the Boston Harbor and took up arms and bayonets with a “root hog or die” determination. And fought and died to be free of the oppression of political government.
In contrast, as I watch the news everyday and observe random interviews with American citizens on the street, I’m shocked at the numbers who want more government by calling for centralized heath care, more controlled government schooling, more agriculture and energy controls, and on and on infinitum into every area of our lives.
More shocking is in all the rhetoric of a steady stream of verbiage of which I’ve rarely heard the word freedom used. I hear no talk of releasing the American people from the clutches and bondage of centralized government to return to the notion of private ownership of property. All I hear is a news saturation of Marxist socialist talk of doles and controls.
For me personally, so much I hear is reminiscent of the speeches of Eva Peron and the rise of Fidel Castro. I vividly recall the days when our government officials touted him as the George Washington of Cuba, even when he had been a card carrying Communist since age 18. In this connection, so much of what we hear hourly is disguised socialist rhetoric, with promises of a better life as centralized government takes over more and more of private property via laws, rules, regulations, policies and edicts from the top down to local government.
The time is past due to stop and think about some very simple, easy to understand things and situations. It may sound like an over simplification to suggest observance of the nature of things. It’s the nature of a snake to crawl and a bird to fly. It is ludicrous to be concerned because the snake does not fly. Accordingly, take note of the nature of political government.
First, no political government has anything until it first takes from someone. And having the power to take has neither limits nor boundaries. Who is going to limit the powers of taking? The taking comes from producers to give to non-producers, with political government acting as the distributor, creaming off the top what it wants before redistribution.
This country started out designing documents to curtail the unbridled power of political government. However, as time has passed, more and more power has been voted into being, usurping the validity of the documents.
Secondly, what is the nature of precisely how political power expands and proliferates, gaining more and more control over the lives and property of its citizenry? Quite obviously, by dependency upon it and opposition to it.
At the height of this political election frenzy, simply listen and one can hear it! Give me health care, more free lunches, cheap energy, furnish me a job guarantee, educate me, indoctrinate me, guarantee me retirement funds, and on and on ad infinitum. As Paul Revere said, “listen my children and you shall hear.” That is the dependency upon it.
Then listen to the opposition. Not to the totalitarianism of political government, the exclusive control of government and which party will be the collector and distributor and in control to take and redistribute. Who’s going to get what in earmarks; which agencies will receive what amounts in funding; which individuals will receive what amount in the redistribution? The opposition comes in squabbling over who and how much. Not opposition to the system of thievery that places the power of taking and redistribution from producers to non-producers.
Further, we must remind ourselves, all politicians are dedicated to two things—getting into office and staying in office. Not for your benefit, but seduced by the power to take and redistribute the means of production. To control your life.
All of this is the very anti-thesis of personal freedom, which is simply self-responsibility and self-control. The very simple question to ask oneself is how can you be responsible and in control when you life and property are taken over, controlled and dictated by an outside entity, i.e. political government? And explain why in this lengthy, heated contest for power, we rarely hear talk of individual freedom and personal property rights.
In 551 BC Confucius said, “Real knowledge is to know the extent of our ignorance.”
Albert Einstein said, “The important thing is never stop questioning.” Norman Cousins said, “History is a vast early warning system.”
The question is what can we do about the loss of freedom and the sad state of affairs this great country has fallen?
Perhaps we can begin by listening to these three great minds, admit our ignorance, ask questions, and heed the warning signs of our history.
Let Freedom Ring!
JUST ME,
AC
