The political landscape in the United States is in shambles. We have two political candidates for president that no one in the country is particularly thrilled about. Our economy is falling apart, the nanny-state like that of Europe appears to be growing, and our rights seem to disappearing like the fragrance of a wilting rose. The Constitution is being rewritten on a daily basis (religion is taking the biggest hit).
Unfortunately, this is just the life cycle of a democratic republic.
“Democracy destroys itself because it abuses its right to freedom and equality. Because it teaches its citizens to consider audacity as a right, lawlessness as a freedom, abrasive speech as equality, and anarchy as progress.”
This is a modernized quote by the Greek orator and philosopher Isocrates (436 BC- 338 BC). The original quote is a little more complicated and refers to the political climate of the times (referring to Greek senators) but this quote (written in 2010) is far more applicable. We can see that all of the quote applies to the behavior of the people in this country (not all, just those with a certain mentality).
The first sentence is a telling statement. What does it mean by “…it abuses its right to freedom and equality”? Isocrates, in his original quote, stated that political representatives need to teach the people what freedom and equality mean. That, without understanding by the public, the freedoms provided can be used against those same freedoms we enjoy. That equality is not something that is literal but that all have the same rights, no matter who they are. Needless to say there will be those that are successful and those that are not. But defining equality does not mean taking from the successful and distributing it to the unsuccessful. The rest of the statement shows examples.
“…teaches citizens to consider audacity as a right…”
We see this so often, we don’t even think about it. Bad behavior is seen as one of our freedoms. And it must be tolerated (or so we are told). Let’s look at the Occupy Wall Street protests. On paper (especially newspapers) this was seen as a protest to social and economic inequality (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Occupy_Wall_Street). What it was was a disaster. Anarchists, the homeless and criminals gathered and just made a mess of things. Trash and bodily fluids were strewn through the parks of New York and Oakland. Crime (including robbery, murder and sexual assault) were common place. Business and transportation were shut down because of the crowds and mess. And what did the police do? Nothing. They couldn’t. It was considered a peaceful protest. Something that these criminals had a right to do.
Of course, this is just one example. Groups like Black Lives Matter and ACORN have also made a name for themselves by promoting anarchy and crime in the name of the right to protest this country promotes.
“…lawlessness as a freedom…”
I saw a video about a boy that is riding his bike on the sidewalk (https://www.facebook.com/mediatakeout/videos/1288232091208735/?pnref=story). A police officer asked him not to do it and he gave her problems. He would not get off the bike. Needless to say, this escalated until the boy was arrested for assaulting a police officer. The boy yelling that “this is a free country”. Though this seems like a minor issue, it is an example where freedom is seen as being able to do whatever and not having any consequences. Illegal immigration is another example. No other country in the world just allows people just to walk in and set up a life (and definitely not access public welfare such as welfare, food stamps or education). Yet pro-illegal immigration people push that this is a free country and that’s why the immigration laws can be ignored.
Even freedom has its boundaries. Laws are there to verify that we can all achieve. Without laws, only the lawless can succeed.
“…abrasive speech as equality…”
Free speech is taking a beating…because of free speech. We all have a right to say what we want (within reason) unless someone disagrees. Then the name calling begins and shaming starts to clam people up. If you think the white police officer was justified in killing the Black robber, you’re a racist. You against abortion? You hate women. You don’t believe in gay marraige? you’re a homophobe.
Get the picture? It is better to keep one’s opinion to one’s self than to have to go through all the labels. This is a backdoor way to control what people think and really hinders free speech and opinion.
Free speech is also being used to stop free speech. Huh, you say?
Let me give you an example of this paradox. Donald Trump was going to hold a rally in Chicago during his campaign for president. Anti-Trump people held a protest. A very loud and threatening one. In fact, it was so ominous the Trump people decided not to hold the rally. When anti-Trump protesters were questioned about the result, they said they had a constitutional right to protest. To protest was to express free speech.
What these nitwits didn’t realize is that Trump and his supporters also had a right to express themselves. But the louder (more threatening group) suppressed the right of free speech forcibly. This is an example of free speech killing free speech.
“…and anarchy as progress.”
Every civilization has laws. When the framers of our great country designed the constitution, they knew that a social contract needed to be in place. That we, as a society would sacrafice some freedoms for protection given by the government. We started with a solid set of laws with a solid set of consequences. As time has passed, those laws have become loose and the consequences have become lax.
Drugs are becoming legal with users and dealers are recieving less punishment. Our borders are being ignored. Murderers are recieving less because of what they went through in life. Police are demonized. Criminals are sympothized. Laws are ignored. And lawyers get rich. All this leads to anarchy.
Our country was once great. But the same things that made it great are destroying it.
Well, I’m afraid, have destroyed it.
I remember, at the age of 8, watching the 4th of July parade on out country’s 200th birthday. People showed real patriotism. I just saw love for this country. Not love because of what we’ve been told we should love about it. I see my kids now and I know they will never understand.
