In an online conversation with a freedom-loving person yesterday morning, and in the context of what we must do in 2010 and 2012 elections, she asked me, “Do you think we’ll make it?” This spurred me to consider how we should think about our days ahead.
Paraphrasing my response to her:
Guessing at what “might be” is not our path. We shall think, act, learn, teach, lead, and pray - follow the course that is right. Led by our conscience we will dedicate our efforts to do good even though we cannot expect a guarantee of any given outcome. The constant battle for liberty holds its risks, but it provides the possibility of freedom. Doing nothing, or giving up hope, guarantees a condition of slavery.
The person to whom I made these comments was encouraged by them, and that is why I share them with you now.
Now, continuing on these thoughts:
At any point in any real fight for life and liberty, it does not matter what we guess to be our chances of success. We should not spend a moment asking ourselves that question. To the ideals that have brought us such a bountiful life, and to our children, their children, our countrymen, and to the decent people of other countries who today live in bondage, we owe our best and complete effort to do the right thing, at each moment, to preserve, restore and secure freedom. The outcome shall always be uncertain, but our determination must be completely certain — merely because, intrinsically it is the good and right thing to do.
I am not attempting to set any kind of expectation of level of activism. We all have our complete and complex lives to lead. However, do what you can, rearrange priorities (as many of you already have), step out of your comfort zone, perhaps meet with others, help them to understand what is at stake, and help them consider ways that they can engage for positive effect.
Prepare for the second front to be opened. That front will be “Amnesty” for illegal immigrants or imposition of economically destructive carbon tax.
The Fear Formula
April 25th, 2010According to Wikipedia, fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat. Fear has the potential to be a significant motivator of human action, in-action, and specific behaviors.
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"Take him to the dungeon!"
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In past ages, direct fear imposed by powerful rulers was used to control the masses, control the individual and motivate society to enact the will of the ruler. The world has never been without such methods being employed. Basically, the transaction includes a club in the hand of the powerful with the threat of the use of the club as the motivation for the ‘governed’ to comply with the wishes of the ruler. The prudent tyrannical ruler endeavors to minimize the use of the club. His primary aim is not to harm, but instead to control. We are all familiar with these processes of the bully, but in the modern era, most of Western civilization dispensed with allowing these methods to be the normal order of society.
In the 17th Century, some among The People, got their act together and developed a concept known as the Social Contract. This was the introduction into an understanding across society that the authority of the state was derived from the “consent of the governed.” Thus developed an antithesis of tyranny.
However, there is some feature within human nature that drives some to desire to attempt to be the masters over all the rest. Observation demonstrates a driving force behind this that is beyond the simple explanation of ambition, self-preservation, or just trying to get ahead. These are factors, but there is one factor that is deeper; there is an element of evil that motivates men to strive to be master over all others. Therefore, there is always a certain pressure for humanity to be approaching tyranny, a vector that is resisted only by the will of individuals willing to defend the liberty of themselves and of others.
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