Greed as driving force
Democracy can only exist until voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the public treasury. The majority votes for the candidates who promise the most money from the taxpayers’ “pot of gold.” Democracy collapses over fiscal policy as socialism or communism controls the people’s government. After a few centuries of history (something that the masses tend to ignore), one cannot dispute the following cycle: Dictatorship (bondage); spiritual faith (hope); courage (rebellion); liberty (freedom); abundance (industry); selfishness (greed); complacency (self-satisfaction); apathy (indifference); dependency (servility); bondage (enslavement).
Candidates offer abundance when they “give” (taxpayer-afforded) more money for education (results rarely proportional), prescription medicine, health care, working families, single parents, senior assistance, welfare, psychological services (often overvalued and always expensive lip service), etc.
It all sounds like “baseball, apple pie and Chevrolet” – Utopian America. Along with all these government programs, they speak of reducing taxes (normally a shift to another source). Politicians hardly ever detail any plan to chop wasteful spending for this would surely strike terror or high anxiety into the armies of liberals and beneficiaries who are loyal supporters.
Abundance evolves into greed: brokerage firms and corporate officers rob shareholders; dock workers cripple the economy although they earn up to $130,000; one school district pays teachers an average of about $60 per hour (and they threaten to strike).
Our nation bleeds because of greed. Complacency is apparent as our military numbers dwindle and state-of-the-art equipment is in short supply. Too many Americans are willing to enjoy their safe and easy life while ignoring the internal and external churning that could change their lifestyle. This smugness will ultimately deteriorate into an “I don’t care” attitude. Thus, the cycle will continue full circle and history will once again repeat itself.
Chuck Lewis
Waynesburg