Is History Repeating Itself (Again)?
As I have opined in other articles, I take a dim view of altruism – the notion that one should do for others with no thought toward one’s own needs, and with no thought of a reward for one’s altruistic actions. In a word, none of us is truly our brother’s keeper.
However, this does not mean that it is wise for one person to live their life without any regard for their fellows, for often, concern for others is actually very much in our own self interest. In a word, each of us is truly our brother’s brother and we would do well to remember that.
To this end, I submit two quotes from the recent past that should help illustrate this point…
First, a quote that, to some degree, helps us understand how the Nazis were able to dominate an otherwise enlightened culture…
First they came for the Jews and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Communists and I did not speak out because I was not a Communist. Then they came for the trade unionists and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak out for me.
And this from Ayn Rand, reminding us of the supremacy of the individual (versus any form of collective)…
The smallest minority on earth is the individual. Those who deny individual rights cannot claim to be defenders of minorities.
Why am I bringing this up? Because history seems to be repeating itself (again).
While some of are making a bit of noise over a few issues the Congress has seen fit to investigate (IRS abuse of certain political causes, NSA “tapping†of every known form of electronic communication for two examples), what I consider the most egregious actions on the part of our out-of-control government seem to pass with little or no protest on the part of the people in general. As examples here I offer:
→ The increasing use of SWAT teams for insignificant misdemeanors (such as the alleged selling of raw milk).
→ The increasing number of destructive intrusions on personal property resulting from incorrect information (wrong address, wrong person, etc.) that result in damage to property, death of family pets, injury or death of humans, loss of reputation, unjust imprisonment, etc., usually without restitution once the error has been established and for which those responsible are rarely held to account for their actions.
→ Permanent seizure of personal property on the mere suspicion of wrongdoing – especially when controlled substances are allegedly involved, usually without restitution once the victim’s innocence has been established.
→ Intentional distortion of news events by the media (such as NBC’s editing of the George Zimmerman 911 call).
→ Endless lying and misuse of power by elected and appointed members of government.
→ The increasing excessive use of lethal force by law enforcement officials at all levels of government (this in addition to the misuse of SWAT teams mentioned above).
→ Other similar abuses by those in authority that are too numerous to list – such as the endless abuses perpetuated in the so-called “war on drugsâ€.
While each of these usually gets some passing mention in the media (more often on the Internet than by the “main-stream†media), they seldom cause more than a whimper of protest outside those immediately involved.
Yet, it could not be more clear that, lacking any outrage by the people in general, each of these abuses tends to increase, both in frequency and in the degree of harm and damage they cause. Please observe that we are steadily ceasing to be governed and are increasingly being ruled instead.
The point of it all being that, if we the people continue to quietly allow such abuses of power, so long as they seem to happen to people we don’t know, and in circumstances that do not apply to directly ourselves, we hasten the day when they will be done to us all, or to someone near and dear to us.
There is nothing on this earth more dangerous to life, liberty and property than an out-of-control government. Yet, we somehow seem to notice, and to react, only when the abuses of predatory government rise to the level where they overwhelm us. If we-the-people continue to tolerate such abuses to others, they will surely soon overwhelm us all.
When will we wake up and realize what we are ALLOWING to happen to our Republic? I know, many of you will respond: “there is nothing I can I do about it so why even try?â€. This is wrong and each of you knows it, however much you seek to deny the obvious.
All we have to do to stop this is to simply say NO to unjust government! Please remember that the few cannot rule the many without the consent of the many. In other words, our government derives its power from the consent of the governed. Withhold that consent!
Peacefully and passively disobey rules and regulations that you know are wrong!
Speak out loudly against any and all government abuse, even though you have no direct connection with the person(s) who are the victims of that abuse.
Best of all, stop feeding the beast. Find every way you can to avoid taxation, even if it means violating the unjust laws under which such taxation is authorized. If we do this as a concerted effort, there is no way they (the rulers) can arrest and imprison us by the thousands. And, without what they steal from us, they cannot continue their crimes against us.
In summary, there are myriad ways we can fight back and prevent that day when “they come after meâ€. If we only would.
Think about it.
Troy L Robinson