“This is a time to rediscover the indomitable spirit that built our country and all that will ensure America always remains the most exceptional nation on the face of the Earth,” said President Trump, in reference to America’s 250th birthday.
I share the sentiment. But the rediscovery President Trump speaks of won’t happen, absent a massive intellectual and psychological reversal in the minds of most Americans. Today, millions observe the wealth and prosperity of America, but only see what’s missing. They have no clue what made all the prosperity and technology possible. They only wonder why it’s not easier to gain or keep, why their neighbors seem to have it easier, and whose fault is that? This “chip on the shoulder” psychology makes millions of modern Americans (especially young ones) vulnerable to toxic snake oil like socialism, which is exactly what we see spreading like wildfire. As we stand, socialism IS the way of the future, not because it’s right or will bring plenty, but simply because annoyed and resentful people can see no alternative.
You cannot talk people out of their resentment. You cannot shame people into rational thought. In fact, the resentful and envious, and growing, majority are the ones who shame the ones they see as better off — chalking it up to racism, past treatment of Indians, insensitivity to “transgenders,” or other ridiculous, irrelevant excuses.
When growing numbers of people fail to see that the very things they’re getting rid of — capitalism, economic freedom, the moral code of individualism — are the crucial cause of all the wealth, prosperity and innovation they feel entitled to much more of (with less effort), then you’re headed for the greatest disappointment and letdown in human history. For the upcoming generation (maybe two), the catastrophe will not only be economic and political, but crushingly psychological. And the psychiatric industry will be unable to fix it. Because it’s a spiritual calamity in the deepest, most human sense of the term.
It’s so sad. And so awfully unnecessary. America was doing so great, and in large measure, still is, though it cannot survive the onslaught of collectivism and statism slowly coming our way (rapidly in blue states and cities). But I suppose it will simply have to be part of the learning curve for humanity.
[Picture from Americans Against Communism on Facebook]