The marvel of all history is the patience with which men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by their governments.
Get a FREE Copy of "The Essential Federalist Papers
What Jefferson called the greatest commentary on Government ever written, organized by topic!
Get a FREE Copy of "The Essential Federalist Papers
What Jefferson called the greatest commentary on Government ever written, organized by topic!
They foolishly believe their needs will be taken care of without any effort on their part.
actually George W couldn’t and didn’t understand this, he marveled at it and i can only do the same, i marvel the way men and women submit to burdens unnecessarily laid upon them by our government!
Misery loves company.
In many cases, the oppressive burdens were laid upon the men and women in small increments, none of which was worth complaining about by itself. Only later did they realize that the aggregate of all of the incremental steps was stultifying tyranny.
It’s like the frog in the pot…
Cause they were raised with alway having the,…..Threat Of !!!??? Question Authority!!!! It’s not your Right, It’s You Duty!
With freedom comes responsibility. That is what people are running from. It only took the Israelites a few days out of Egypt to ask to return to bondage.
Ignorance and apathy
Some like to be told what to do while most do not. The government is like a tyrant surgeon I know who would abuse and provoke but only as much as you allowed. I and a few others stood up to the tyrant while a few would submit to the abuse. The ones in the middle, those that neither denounced the abuse or submitted to it. Those that avoided the problem, only perpetuated the cycle. I soon found after I confronted the problem, the tyrant saw that I would no longer be treated that way, there was a new found respect and I had no more problem. Much of America still avoids, each in his own way. Sooner or later enough will become enough and a good portion of the middle will be awake. Focusing on the solution to a problem leads to a resolution.
Altruism is the biggest reason these days. The idea that self-sacrifice is the highest good has been the norm through much of history, going back to primitive tribes that sacrificed for gods.
That sort of thing provides a powerful weapon by which to control people. Not to mention flat out superstition and fear.
Incrementalism is the answer; the change has been gradual and we have adjusted willingly or otherwise; Obama has erred in his failure to heed the incremental approach, rather he is using the impatient approach that may require force. When force is applied there is still a reaction. At least I hope there is. Albeit David is right on why incrementalism is so effective.
Why? Three words: fear of reprisal.
Because: “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.”
The governments George Washington had experience with and knowledge of were monarchies and colonies, and not the constitutional monarchy of present day United Kingdom either. Compared to governments throughout history, we don’t have a clue what oppression is in this country.
“Burdens” do not necessarily equal “oppression”.
I agree with the small increments…. also, most people just want to go and do what they have to do, often times, in pre industrial days, they dont have time to stop and argue (We got to get this harvest in or we dont eat this winter!). AND people want to be respectable, which meant law abiding.
Government is like a child. It pushes the line until it gets smacked in the face.I think it’s because have a vested interest not to speak out. Before putting things on the line, it has to be real bad. It’s the creep effect. NO one is willing to start a revolution over the seat belt law. But when they start taking my guns away..or my money away, then we will start talking. And the talk has started.
The frog in the cold pot of water heated slowly to a boil…
@ Dan Medell, your analogy can be used in todays schools with the bullying. We each have an obligation to stand up for ourselves and take responsibility at the same time. Not one of us can just “exist” and hope that problems of life will not get in our way.
It is a creeping oppression that has happened slowly while we have been earning a living in our great country and raising our children. We have trusted our representatives to be vigilant but they have let us down. The giant of the people has woken up and is paying attention. We have seen the first wave in the 2010 elections, but they are ignoring our will. We must speak LOUDER!
Most people are non-confrontational. But they can take only so much….
Some people don’t see it because it comes on a little at a time. When after many years it is too late. Then action must be taken.
The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
Patrick Henry
“Any people that would give up liberty for a little temporary safety deserves neither liberty nor safety.” Benjamin Franklin
Both of those statements are so true. It’s time for all in America to search their conscience, their very souls, including myself, see where we fit in any of the categories and become resolved, with the help of the Almighty, to do something about it!!
If we look at human history, we’ll see that oppression is actually the normal human condition. The Greek City-States and the early Roman Republic excluded, self-governance and democracy did not exist anywhere in the world until our Founding Fathers gave us that gift. Most people simply do not know better, untl they are exposed to freedom. And even then, some shy away from it, preferring security.