In my opinion, government is at best, tolerated because there is no other recognizable option available at the time. At worst, it is an evil and tyrannical overlord of the individual, never ceasing in its desire for power, money, total control, brutality, war, and imperialism. This opinion obviously does not serve as a recommendation for any governing system, with the one exception of peaceful anarchy, or a society without the State.
Government is always an instrument of force, as government has nothing, creates nothing, and produces nothing; it only steals from those who do. Therefore, politically based government should be avoided at all cost. Unfortunately, this has rarely happened in history.
Although government is controlling and brutal in its efforts to remain in power, it can only retain that power over the rest of society given that the majority consents to be ruled. In many instances, this consent is simply implied.
In order to gain the consent or implied consent of the people, the state uses many strategies that are steeped in lies and deceit. Government’s most important and necessary strategy for retaining control is fear. Fear mongering therefore, is a constant weapon in the arsenal of the state. For if the people were not afraid, they would have little use for government’s continuous assault on their liberty. Fear is a most powerful driver of emotions, and the illusion of safety a most coveted prize of the sheep. Rulers, whether elected or not, fully understand the importance of using fear tactics and the illusion of safety as weapons against the people. The desired effect is to at once purposely intimidate the population at large, while allowing for a state manufactured rescue. The result is an acceptance by the citizenry of less freedom for an imagined safety.
To achieve these ends, the state has to create false enemies. In order for this strategy to be successful, one individual has to be pitted against another; one group against another group; one nation against another nation, and so the deception goes. This strategy is nothing new, but it has been forever effective. It is the strategy of divide and conquer, derived from the Latin saying, Divide et impera, which may refer also to divide and rule.
This divisive agenda takes on many faces, and planned divisiveness and dissension is found virtually everywhere, this due to the stirring of the pot by political agitators. Consider white versus black, heterosexual versus homosexual, Christian versus Islam, men versus women, rich versus poor, and Republicans versus Democrats. Consider Wall Street versus Main Street, citizen versus immigrant, and the U.S. nation state versus the Middle East. As George W. Bush said after the 9/11 attacks, a statement meant to divide if ever one was uttered, “Either you are with us or you are with the terrorists.”
Most are aware of this great divide in our country, but most don’t understand that much of it came about by design. Division leads to separation. Separation leads to weakness. Weakness leads to serfdom, which of course is slavery!
Those who seek to rule understand this concept very well, and use it in order to gain more power. Those in power control the mainstream media, and that media is a willing accomplice in the spread of hate. John C. Danforth once said:
The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.
This is a true statement, and it should serve to alert all to the fact that those who scream the most, those who spread fear, and those who would seek a platform to pit one against another, are nothing more than wolves in sheep’s clothing. The U.S. government is just such a wolf, and constantly seeks to spread fear and hate among us.
It is government that should stand in fear of the people. Government is afraid of an educated and intelligent populace. Government is threatened greatly by self-responsibility and self-reliance. Government becomes impotent in the presence of peace. Government cowers when confronted by a unified people. Government loses control when the people know the truth.
But this government is not afraid. It is not impotent. It does not cower. It has not lost control of its power. It is a monster!
So long as “we the people” continue to accept the government’s plan for us, so long as the hate continues, so long as most continue to live in fear, so long as unholy war continues unabated, and so long as Americans hide from the truth, our future will be predestined. If we do not alter that now probable destiny, only a life of lost hope will remain!
Government is in the last resort the employment of armed men, of policemen, gendarmes, soldiers, prison guards, and hangmen. The essential feature of government is the enforcement of its decrees by beating, killing, and imprisoning. Those who are asking for more government interference are asking ultimately for more compulsion and less freedom.
~Ludwig von Mises, Human Action [1949]
Gary D. Barnett [send him mail] has been a financial advisor for 25 years, and now resides and works in Lewistown, Montana.
Copyright © 2012 by LewRockwell.com. Permission to reprint in whole or in part is gladly granted, provided full credit is given.