When one examines the mindset of those who support a centralized government structure, there is one common element that is found in both the Neo-Conservative model and the current socialist regime- fear.
During the W Bush years, many who sought protection from what they feared were willing to cede liberty and freedom in exchange for a perceived protection from bad things. Fearful Americans abided as wonton attacks on our constitutional rights were made right out in the open, all in the name of protecting their loved ones and themselves. This fear ultimately fed a centralized Federal government, growing it’s power and reducing rights of Americans to live a life free from intrusion.
What is happening now is not terribly different, though the regime has changed and the arguments are of a different variety. Why are Americans willing to give control of their health care to the Feds? The reason for many is a fear that otherwise the care they need will not be available to them, again a model of fear and control.
The arguments raised by statists and central power supporters against state sovereignty are also fear based. Some fear that a sovereign Southern state would re-instate racist policies. Others fear that conservative states would limit the left’s sacred right to abortion.
Liberty and freedom require courage to exist and fear is corrosive to them. This lack of bravery must be met with one assertion- that when the people wrest power away from Big Brother that a new era of personal responsibility will fill the gap. It will be the responsibility of the southerners to ward of racist cruelty. It will be the responsibility of Americans in each state to take an active role in their government, should we suceed in keeping our republic.
The fear, I know many that will have the courage to over come the “fear”. Many see through it easily. They are tired of the corrosion. I worry about the people that don’t see the manufactured fear and will not have the personal responsibility to fill the gap with their nanny gone. Or better said, the ones who have no idea how to be personally responsible. Not just with issues like abortion and racial cruelty, but to know how to simply survive without the “help” of Big G. I am worried about their reaction. What depths will they go to to survive?
You're seeing it now – soaring deficits, crippling taxes, more 'everyone deserves (insert house, healthcare, higher wage, no personal consequences here)' and begging our politicians to give it to them instead of earning it for themselves.
Southern states would re-enact racist legislation? Are they actually saying that? I hope that when you heard them you told them that they were idiots and that this isn’t 1968 anymore.
Bryce,
I totally agree with your point about the risks inherent to freedom. The need to accept risk does seem to be one thing that has been effectively wiped from our paternalistic cultural consciousness.
America was on top of the world for a few decades, and now everyone thinks they are entitled to a job and a corner office with health care and retirement benefits, regardless of the decisions they make in their personal lives.
Unfortunately for the entitlement set, reality is like binary code–just a collection of ones and zeroes. Either something works or it doesn’t. And 2+2 will always eventually equal 4.
When Americans remember how to accept the risks, demand the rewards, and face the consequences of a life based on rationalism and lived in reality, we will reclaim our freedom.
And on that day people like you and me will gladly find something else to write about.