Christine Smith's Blog

Fear – Enemy of Liberty

From Obama’s February 7, 2009 weekly address, “In the midst of our greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression…Legislation of such magnitude deserves the scrutiny that it’s received over the last month, and it will receive more in the days to come. But we can’t afford to make perfect the enemy of the absolutely necessary….if we don’t move swiftly to put this plan in motion, our economic crisis could become a national catastrophe. Millions of Americans will lose their jobs, their homes, and their health care. Millions more will have to put their dreams on hold…”

So easily manipulated into thinking the world as they know it will collapse unless a savior appears, they are more than ready when – surprise! – one appears.

Obama, Jan. 31, 2009 address,”… my administration is dedicated to alleviating your struggles and advancing your dreams…”

What nonsense!

One with “dreams” defies fear, rejects control, and is repulsed at the suggestion that another can “advance” that which can only be achieved by personal accomplishment and thereby experience personal fulfillment and gratification.

If Obama actually believed there was such an emergency, a crisis, why would he wait 4 days to sign the economic stimulus bill which was presented as so critically important it had to be rushed through?  Widespread acceptance of Obama’s fear mongering is nothing to be surprised at since most people allow their lives to be governed by fear. Many want others (including but not limited to government) to alleviate their “struggles” than to live up to their responsibilities.

Finances, Education, Health & Other Areas

As a self-employed individual, I’ve always maintained my own health insurance, retirement account (Roth IRA), as well as investment in gold and silver. I’ve never let fear guide those decisions. Long before I was even as aware as I’ve become in the past few years, I studied and made decisions which I felt would stand the test of time. I’ve never been a typical investor – I’ve always thought for myself.

Even in the midst of recent stock falls, I weather the storm relatively well because of my personal decisions to diversify into areas outside of conventional investing. And even within the stocks and funds I purchased years ago and currently, they are those those I thought would significantly increase in value due to the very type of economic situation we now see in this nation. (My financial adviser even admitted to me, that though I go against what he thinks is best sometimes, it has served me well and that I did well to choose certain investments over others even if it was against his advice. He also knows stocks and mutual funds aren’t always my first priority when I have money to invest, since I also invest in commodities). I know much of what I own will remain (or gain) in value even when losses do occur in other of my investments.

But I know people who actually are going to trust that they receive a “retirement” and health coverage from the government. After all they’ve paid in they tell me. Talk about (totally misplaced and undeserved) “trust”! Others who do maintain their own retirement also frequently appear to me to be fear-based based on how they talk. That’s their prerogative, but not one I follow.

To me, areas as one’s investments, healthcare, and retirement are not things to depend or rely on government for. Neither are they areas in which I merely follow conventional thought. They are areas to study and learn from others, but ultimately to make personal decisions upon. I may gain or lose, of course, but I feel completely well knowing I decide for myself. As the economy falters if not fails, I personally think it will likely be those who made what is considered unorthodox choices who will not only survive the financial storm but thrive. But come what may, I have always been most comfortable making decisions based on the knowledge and research I do. I trust myself, and I’m more than happy to reap the consequences.

Yet I’ve heard people say they are far too afraid to make decisions in such matters. They actually use the word “afraid.” They prefer to do things “by the book” so to speak. They let fear make their decisions, and with each turn of the financial markets and fluctuating economy, they complain and either make rash decisions or remain stagnant because of fear.

They are the same ones who actually speak about taxes paying for the necessities of daily life they enjoy and use.

They are also the same ones who would rather the government provide “universal healthcare” rather than letting a free market of health care exists from which we each can decide what we need.

Another area where fear rules the people and is completely politicized is education. Now why in the world would people willingly trust their children to a government they’ve seen fail at just about everything it attempts to do? And more so, why would anyone wish to abrogate such a personal and incredibly important task and responsibility to government anyway? The several homeschooling mothers (and two fathers who did the homeschooling for their family) I’ve met have been some of the most impressive people I’ve ever encountered. And the children, by far the most intelligent, bright and creative.

But when one suggest an end to mandatory public education, one is met with one fear thought after another: What about those who can’t afford to send their children to private schools? Doesn’t everyone deserve an education? Or, we can’t trust children’s minds to the parents (or something to that affect). Despite all agreeing that public education has failed miserably, the people still cry out to government to “fix” it rather than being willing to explore how they must and should take this critical area into their own hands. It’s again fear; they’d rather not have the responsibility for something so important. But it is precisely those areas which are so critically important to one’s life and family that should be their own responsibility.

Obama Gets His Stimulus Bill

On a couple recent nighttime talk shows (on 50,000-watt station), I called in and shared my rejection of this stimulus package. One man got so angry at my opposition to the stimulus package that he began shouting that I must be someone who isn’t about to lose a 20-year mortgage. Well, he’s right. I’m not. And that’s because I make decisions and budget my earnings, and all major expenses including home ownership and all its associated expenses, better than that. He accused me of “not caring”  and then his rant turned into an Obama worship scenario claiming it’s wrong to hold Obama accountable for anything since he’s been in the office for only a few weeks – the same rant which is quite common this past week, as Obama supporters cling desperately to their “hope” afraid to admit it was all hot air. They are so afraid of admitting there’s no change in their lives for the better and there will not be. They really wanted someone to provide a “bailout” for them.

Such people sadly prefer others to make basic life decisions and supposedly offer provisions rather than do it themselves. For this, they fork over their liberty, self-determination and money. Is is they who put blind trust into a “stimulus package” promising to aid states, schools, health programs, banking & lending; it is they who think big government and its big spending will solve their problems. They want to be rescued and saved, rather than work it out themselves.

Providing for myself is something I’ve made a priority and as such it affects how I budget – making sure personal provision for now (and my future) are taken care of first before other expenses. Sure, the government takes big-time from all of us, but what remains is yours to spend or save exactly as you decide. The most important areas of one’s life, and that of their family, demands personal responsibility. I am a homeowner, and my home ownership, just like my retirement and healthcare, is something I take full responsibility for and I would not desire it any other way.

One can understand the financial difficulties others face, but also reject government intervention to rescue them.

My point is that all the reasons and excuses for not taking hold of one’s own future is always because of fear. Some want to be told what to do, and when and how to do it. They are so fearful of thinking for themselves, making decisions, and reaping the consequences of those choices. But to pay attention to the world around you, to read and to make decisions is part of life. Doing otherwise – escapism. If you truly identify something as being valuable to you life to acquire, you had better be the one you rely upon…and really, deep down, why would you want it any other way?

It appears fear has become so powerful a force in this nation, that the majority of people hardly begin to grasp the idea of exercising their individual liberty much less take personal responsibility for their actions. They want everything planned and controlled by others. If things go well, they live their lives day to day – never experiencing joy – but existing. If things become difficult, well they can simply look outside themselves to blame others.

Obama using fear, accomplished his agenda, and the majority of the American people, rather than expressing outrage in huge numbers nationwide, passively sit by to let their economic futures be devastated with the addition of an enormous amount to the trillions of national debt we already have. Lobbyists will surely have a field day with this. Everyone (but the people who fearfully sought their own “bailouts”) will get their greedy hands into the public coffer. 

And as Obama lackadaisically gets around to the “emergency crisis” this Tuesday, signing this “Declaration of Dependence” (as I’ve heard it called accurately), many will hail the publicity stunt, even as this nation will suffer for years to come.

I’ve even heard people here in Colorado who say they oppose the stimulus package expressing gladness that Obama is coming here to sign it, saying a presidential visit is something our state should always be pleased with. But in that regard, I view it only as unfortunate to have it take place here, as it will be but a stain on Denver to the degree a celebratory atmosphere is given something which will later be proven to be so harmful.

Give them jobs. Give them healthcare. And give them a retirement. Protect them from repercussions of their poor financial decisions. Cover them from cradle to grave. Is this what America has become, a nation of weaklings? 

The American people do not revolt but accept more government intrusion, planning, and reckless spending.   How long will it take for the American people to realize what they are losing?

Fear is the reason the people of this nation are so easily manipulated both by government as well as by others in their lives.

How has such fear developed? Is there no limit to it? Better yet, is there any end to it?

(to be continued)