This government shutdown gives us just a little glimpse into the basement under Washington D.C.

Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.

Most attribute the quote to George Washington, although that remains questionable. But whether the first president uttered those words or not, they stand no less true.

Sometimes when I talk about tyranny, or the danger of centralized power, people accuse me of hyperbole. Honestly, sometimes it is. But any honest study of history reveals mtrushmorethat centralized governments rarely “care” for the people they lord over. They become self-serving institutions detached from the people, obsessed with maintaining their power and extending their authority.

The so-called government shut down cracks the door just a tad and allows us to peek into the dark basement below Washington D.C. I find what I see chilling.

The U.S. government is a bully.

Since the government partially closed last week, we’ve caught glimpses of this petty “I’ll show you mentality.”

The feds shut down websites.

Due to the lapse in federal government funding, this website is not available.

They coned off pull-offs along roads leading up to Mt. Rushmore. And they’ve blocked WWII veterans from entering an outdoor memorial that was paid for and maintained with private funds.

Petty.

Mean.

The feds even kicked people out of their own homes. KTNV in Nevada reports people living around Lake Mead were forced to leave when the government closed for business.

Joyce Spencer is 77-years-old and her husband Ralph is 80. They’ve been spending most of their time in the family ice cream store since going home isn’t an option.

The Spencers never expected to be forced out of their Lake Mead home, which they’ve owned since the 70s, but on Thursday, a park ranger said they had 24 hours to get out.

No reason for this order exists. It doesn’t cost the feds money for an old couple to remain in their home. This represents nothing more than a move designed to inflict pain on innocent people to make a political point.

Who does this?

People with power who care about nothing other than exercising, maintaining and increasing that power.

Americans naively think government oppression against ordinary people will never happen here. They believe we could never possibly experience roundups of “dissidents,” or death squads, or prison camps. Most trust the government. In fact, most Americans buy into the misguided notion that “we” are the government.

Stop and let this sink in: the government just kicked an old man and old lady out of their home to make a political point.

I find that chilling.

I find it even more disturbing that park rangers went to the Spencer’s home and told them to get out. What kind of people kick old folks out of their house? The kind of people who follow orders.

“I’m just doing my job.”

If find that even more chilling.

I wonder what would have happened if the Spencers had refused to leave? Were the rangers prepared to drag them out physically? Shoot them? Surely not. But government orders must be backed up by force if needed. We can’t have people defying authority, now can we?

Chilling.

Mike Maharrey

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