Adversity builds character. It culls the gene pool, helps define the culture in general and the zeitgeist specifically. In even a casual reading of history, one will notice that after a people (Read: an entire society, a village, or even a family) reach a certain comfort level, they seem to lose sight of, or "outgrow", the balance of strength and weakness that brought that prosperity. History is littered with societies that have "evolved" to a point unrecognizable by their original inhabitants. This loss doesn't happen overnight, it's multigenerational. It happens over the course of decades or even centuries. It occurs throughout history, without regard to technological advancement, intellectual prowess, form of government, or geographical region. We are, after all, humans and we act like it, regardless how we may feel about it. This may be a terrible truth, but a truth it is.
Contrary to what we would all like to see, prosperity is neither permanent, nor is it fair. Not all that toil will prosper and some will prosper despite their lack of effort. There is an old saying that states "shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations." In my life I have seen a grandfather pass wealth to his son, only to watch it evaporate in the hands of the grandson. To say it would be sad for the grandfather to witness is a horrible understatement. History presents us with myriad proofs of human frailty. As for ourselves, it took America a mere 150 years from our humble beginnings to our first economic collapse and 80 years after that, we find ourselves in the dumps again.
In the same way the population as a whole will only rise to a comfortable level of mediocrity, the people within the government, and more importantly numerically, the folks in the periphery of the government will siphon all the power, fame and/or money they can. They will allow themselves, by weakness or desire, to become sycophants to whatever cause, program or individual that profits them. In the beginning, they are merely parasites sucking the blood of the system, but if the situation remains unchecked, their numbers grow and 'they' become a power center in and of themselves. 'They' may not even know each other exist, but they are all traveling down the same path through history, wanting roughly the same thing and having roughly the same goal. The tail wags the dog.
Additionally, as societies evolve, they gather and assimilate the cultures and traditions of the good people that have been welcomed to take part in that prosperity. This, of course, is normal, if not arguably healthy. But at what point do they stop being who they were and start being something new?
It is here, I believe, we find ourselves.
We have risen to power as the envy of the world. The grand experiment of our Constitutional Republic has been by any measure a roaring success. The people, however, have been a great disappointment. We have allowed our government to be overrun (and run) by the very people that should be precluded from 'serving'. It's been said that those who seek power are, by definition, the least desirable for the position. While it could be successfully argued that we are under an oligarchy, I don't personally believe in such a conspiracy. The rich are not the problem. It is the number of people willing to sell their souls for a chance at wealth, power or fame. They... no... We are the problem.
But alas, we are the solution as well. Read, learn, VOTE.
©2009 Drew, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Last modified: Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The views expressed in this article are those of Drew only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Drew is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Ken Berry
Date: 2009-06-17 15:24:08
This brief article contains a core truth and several laws of human nature. You may not want to hear this message, but only the hearing and understanding of it will bring your current paradigm to the place where you can actually do some good for the beautiful concept of constitutional libertarianism...
Great job! You should expand this article a bit and post it far and wide...
Posted By: Drew
Date: 2009-06-17 21:12:31
Ken,
Thank you very much for your candor. I appreciate honesty. If the truth hurts, it isn't the truth that needs to change.
I'll work on it and hone it and send it out.
Thanks again,
Drew
Posted By: Sonic Ninja Kitty
Date: 2009-07-01 09:41:04
Drew, I really liked this article! We need much more examination of the psychology of current politics and economics.
I, too, have witnessed wealth deterioration from one generation to another. Maybe the first generation wasn't so 'successful' after all, though--life is about much more than making money, and the first generation apparently failed at raising well rounded and competent children. Just sayin'....
I have learned, also, that sometimes it doesn't matter whether you vote or not--the powers that be will force what they want on us. (Look up what happened in the democratic party primaries for exhibit "A" on that.)
I would like to read more of your thoughts in later articles. Perhaps you can propose some solutions, too? Thanks for the great food for thought!
Posted By: Cliff Adams
Date: 2009-10-03 15:34:07
Excellent article, sees past the normal day-to-day survival noise of political discussion. We will only create a workable situation on this planet when we look at a bigger picture than just our own or our current cultural, political and economic agendas.
Posted By: Cliff Adams
Date: 2009-10-06 14:14:59
Excellent article, thoughtful and insightful.
The statement, "I don't personally believe in such a conspiracy". is not on solid logical grounds as a statement. It is like saying, "I don't believe in unicorns." It is impossible to disprove the existence of unicorns - it is only possible to disprove a purported instance of one.
I would say also that the only difference between a grand conspiracy and what you said in paragraph three, is looking from the standpoint of a moral model (conspiracy) and from the standpoint of a phenomenelogical model ("...their numbers grow and 'they' become a power center in and of themselves.") ; and, when they get to the top, they cannot help but bumping into each other, and then they must either cooperate or compete.
Nevertheless, your theses is valid, whether such an overall conspiracy exists or not.