Tim, the Enchanter

Benevolent Tyrants and Deceivers

Tyrants come in all shapes and sizes. Throughout history they've been known as brutal, heartless, merciless and cruel - and rightly so. Tyrants are easier to identify and stand out like a sore thumb, whether from the inside or the out. Everyone knows a tyrant.

Deceivers, on the other hand, are not as easy to identify from the outside. But, they are more destructive to freedom than tyrants that use physical force. A lie is the worst form of physical force - if you get someone to believe a lie, you can get them to freely choose evil, thinking they are choosing good. I believe this is why Lucifer is known as "The father of lies" in many religions.

In our day, tyranny is alive and well just as in days of past. However, it may not look the same - it's disguised in benevolence. I'm not much into conspiracy theory - I think the greatest threat to freedom is right before our very eyes. It's not difficult to see, when you have eyes to see it, and ears to hear it. The benevolent tyrants of our day have taken a great hold upon our government, exploiting the ignorant to gain political favor. In my opinion, all 3 of the major presidential candidates fall under this category. I'll fully explain why I think this way in a future essay.

Robin Hood

To relieve the misfortunes of our fellow creatures is concurring with Deity, 'tis god-like, but if we provide encouragements for Laziness and supports for Folly, may it not be found fighting against the order of God and Nature, which perhaps has appointed Want and Misery as the proper Punishment for, and Caution against as well as necessary consequence of Idleness and Extravagancy. Whenever we attempt to mend the scheme of Providence and to interfere in the Government of the World, we had need to be very circumspect lest we do more harm than good (Benjamin Franklin, Letter to Peter Collinson May 9, 1753).

"Steal from the rich and give to the poor" - you've heard it before. It sounds so nice, doesn't it? After all, the poor wouldn't be poor if it weren't for those greedy rich people, so they should be punished (end sarcasm). I would invite you to consider why many of those rich people are rich, and why many of those poor people are poor. I would, in the process, suggest you be slow to condemn the poor - it is true, they haven't been taught, and you would likely be the same if you had only their experience and knowledge.

When I was in Argentina, I saw a lot of poor people. One town was a prime example of poverty. The earth was rich there: you could throw seeds down and grow crops almost spontaneously. There was relative peace and order. There was hunger. Why? Because most of the population, rather than being industrious and taking advantage of the favorable circumstances for prosperity God had given them, they sat around, drinking their hot steaming mate in the 100% humidity 106 degree Fahrenheit weather, waiting for their government welfare check to come in (which, of course, they depended on). I wondered if the government welfare checks were helping to improve the situation, or to worsen it.

In our country, when laws are passed that redistribute wealth, our economic liberty is greatly infringed. Because of this common tyranny in our day, I have much less abundance to give freely, and the resources which are taken from me through taxation are used in many ways of which I don't approve (not all ways, just most). For example, I don't get to choose what schools my tax dollars support, nor welfare programs they go towards, nor social programs that are created. I disagree with most all of the way the aforementioned are run, and can identify other places where those same dollars could be put to, in my opinion, much better use. If that were to happen, I could in theory do the same good with less money, and have more to give and more to enjoy (our economy thrives when people generally have abundance). Unfortunately, we live in a day and age where our government has become so addicted to an originally temporary tax measure that there seems to be no end in sight. I don't like that these programs are entitled to my dollars without my strings attached by the votes of me the donor.

Deceivers

Deceivers (and the deceived) exploit our democratic society and our bleeding hearts by using them to put these tyrannical measures in place. Of Hilary, Barrack, and John McCain, I personally like Barrack Obama the best. He's charismatic. His policies give you a sense of hope. They seem to ring true. But one look with a rational mind at most any of his policies reveals the absolute tyranny he is advocating!

From Obama's website:

"Americans turning 65 this year have grown our economy by 4.5 times over the course of their working lives. They have tilled our soil, defended our country, taught our children, worked in our factories, and raised a new generation to build upon their successes. And yet, many struggle to get by. Threats to Social Security and Medicare, skyrocketing health costs, and abuse and neglect of seniors all jeopardize our unspoken covenant: our seniors worked hard to take care of us, and now we must be here for them." (Barack Obama, on Senior Citizens)

I agree with this statement. It is a sad thing that so many senior citizens are struggling. But why does the government need to be involved? First off, are we not stewards over making our own preparations for retirement? Would this perhaps incentivize us to be wiser in our expenses during our working years, and to be more productive, so we can store up plenty? If retirement was guaranteed, how would it change your financial habits? If people generally agree that they should take care of their elderly, then WHY would we need a law passed to get it done?

Another policy from Barack's website:

"Let us be the generation that reshapes our economy to compete in the digital age. Let's set high standards for our schools and give them the resources they need to succeed. Let's recruit a new army of teachers, and give them better pay and more support in exchange for more accountability. Let's make college more affordable, and let's invest in scientific research, and let's lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America." (Barack Obama, on Technology)

I agree with his stance on higher pay in exchange for more accountability - it would be great to see a teacher have a real job and be rewarded to produce results, and let go for not. However, hiring a "new army" of teachers suggests that the current staff is incompetant. I'm certain that we already have wonderful and capable people enduring our system. And, I'm certain its true there are many employed by the system that in other circumstances would not be employed in their current positions (given that the judge of competance are the ones paying for his or her employment). I would first look at what conditions have created the situation to begin with. And, if "a new army" of teachers is indeed what was needed, how will you entice them to teach in our government schools, when I know many of the best teachers have been otherwise driven away by the bureacracy of the system?

Additionally, how many scientific advances have truly been brought about by government investing in scientific research? And, how many of those advances would have been made anyways, or could have been made, without the governments help? Now, I'm not talking about advances in scientific research related to the department of defense. I'm talking about consumer / health innovation. There is plenty of incentive for producers to innovate and discover, without the government getting in the way.

What happens when government starts investing in "scientific" research? How much accountability is there in the money? In most other private circumstances, the risks taken are adequately balanced with the potential to profit (which means, the potential to create value for people). If you lose your investment, no-one is going to hold your hand and say "it's not your fault, you did your best, here's your money back." With that in mind, you are going to be a LOT MORE motivated to make sure those resources are put to their best use.

But what if the government subsidizes the investment, and the investment fails. How incentivized will you be to stay up every night, losing sleep many times, working diligently for a solution to work things out? I would suggest that you will not have nearly as much incentive.

These are a few of many subtle deceptions in Mr. Obama's plan for change. Now - I'm sure he's a great guy, and a sincere guy, and I don't believe it's his intention to deceive. But his ideas are very, very flawed, and will contribute much to our country's economic suffering and stagnation. He may be good, but he is not wise.

Collective Immorality and Source of Government Power

Now, I'd like to relate to you what in my mind spells out one of the greatest threats to human liberty. Canton Ohio passed a law which makes 2nd time offenders who let their grass grow more than 8 inches long be subject to a $250 fine and 30 days in jail. Reflecting on it, I concluded I wouldn't personally feel justified in throwing my neighbor in jail for failing to take care of his lawn. I don't know what motivated the citizens to pass that law, but I would venture a guess and say they know it's wrong to go bind their neighbor up themselves because they don't like their lawn, but if they can pass a law and get the government to do it, it's OK. As if there is a separation between "The Government" and "The Citizens", that somehow the Government gets to execute with impunity because it's the government, and when they're doing things to enforce the law it all of the sudden becomes moral. Our country's founding fathers penned it quite well in our Declaration of Independence from whence our government gets it's power: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." Those citizens of Ohio are acting collectively immoral!

Change

With so much talk and hype about change, what can we truly do to change for the better? How can we combat the influences of tyranny, both via physical force and deception, and reverse the adverse affects on our freedom?

We can write our congress-men and representatives and let our voice be heard. We can become involved in government at the most basic level - in our local communities. We can run to become a state delegate (it's a lot easier than you may think). We can work to let our voices be known, in a rational, non-alarmist fashion. We should be careful not to apply the same tactics as the deceivers when trying to persuade our fellow men.

To combat the effects of deception in our personal lives, we can become well acquainted with the principles that govern the universe. We can seek to reform our own lives by bringing them in order with absolute truth. We can question the assumptions of our society: Research them, ponder them, are they really true? Why or why not? Can you back it up with facts?

We can strive to make that which is sound and good popular, and help educate our fellow beings on the fundamental principles of proper government (I've found it completely ineffective and counter-productive to debate about "issues" when there isn't a common understanding and acceptance of basic principles). If others don't agree with us, we should still be respectful of their freedom to think and believe like they do. See and praise the good in them, and identify common ground - it will leave a much more fertile ground for future opportunities to plant bits of truth.

Conclusion

I would humbly invite you consider this quote by Henry Grady Weaver:

"Most of the major ills of the world have been caused by well-meaning people who ignored the principle of individual freedom, except as applied to themselves, and who were obsessed with fanatical zeal to improve the lot of mankind-in-the-mass through some pet formula of their own....THE HARM DONE BE ORDINARY CRIMINALS, MURDERERS, GANGSTERS, AND THIEVES IS NEGLIGIBLE IN COMPARISON WITH THE AGONY INFLICTED UPON HUMAN BEINGS BY THE PROFESSIONAL 'DO-GOODERS', who attempt to set themselves up as gods on earth and who would ruthlessly force their views on all others - with the abiding assurance that the end justifies the means." (The Mainspring of Human Progress; p. 40-1; P.P.N.S., p. 313)

Whether you agree with me 100%, or partially, may we all do our best to advocate that which is sound and true in our families, our neighborhood and communities. It is active rational minds of the wise that will tend us back towards freedom again. May we all seek wisdom and learning from the best books. Thank you for reading.

Labels: essays

posted by Tim Harper  # 11:16 PM