From Humble to Hubris
by Joe Maynard
August 22, 2024
Having stepped into the stream of the political universe in late 2008, it has become more obvious to me that the destiny of our country most likely is doomed absent a tremendous reawakening of our general population. Given the state of our education and social systems, this may be unlikely in the near future. Becoming familiar with the structure of government and those who pursue a role in it, the insurmountable obstacle is with human nature itself.
As a background for my argument, let me state a few general observations. First, we as humans generally have a need to be liked. We have a need to be accepted for our qualities that society values. And those values have become superficial and transactional. Another observation is that “truth” has become somewhat subjective and transitory. “Truth” seems to change over time.
The foundational basis of my efforts has been to increase individual freedom which requires reducing the size and scope of government (which is the equivalent to force). If one thinks about government as force and force alone, this gives the proper perspective and context to all that is done by a government.
Another thing I have concluded is that people generally do not understand, in a broad sense, the concept of freedom and are, in fact, afraid of it. Freedom requires understanding, accountability, self-reliance, and self-sacrifice. Many speak of freedom as a part time endeavor or a quaint concept that once existed. In our past decades, none of us truly have experienced anything resembling that freedom of which so many in politics speak of today. We all see freedom as something different. Some see more wealth as the path to freedom, others see power as the freedom they seek.
One thing is for certain, power and wealth are the driving force in our political system, and for that matter, in government today. Long gone, if it ever existed, is the true public servant.
To that end, I propose that after witnessing first hand, multiple government bodies from school boards, to water authorities, to city councils, and state legislatures, even to the Congress of these United States, the participants may start out with the best intentions but are quickly met with a system that is so corrosive and enticing that many, if not most, are in a short period of time coopted into a totally different way of viewing that system and themselves. So many make the decision, consciously or not, to join it rather than improve it. We see all around us our once humble citizens and friends (looking to make our country more like the founders intended) shortly become the instruments of that system and reject, ignore, or simply forget the initial spark of serving the American people. They too become the tyrants perpetuating that system and belittling those who remain committed to that freedom. It is a shame but a fact: once instrumental friends now become the enemy. Accountability and recollection of initial goals and aspirations, if brought up, become hateful attacks. Joining with others, a wall of arrogance is constructed dividing them from us.
Now imagine this. Those whom you became acquainted with and shared the love and pursuit of limited government with begin to retreat from those principles just as they achieve the positions in which to affect actual change. When brought up for discussion, resistance then outright attacks shortly follow. Then imagine that these same people flatly refuse to even address any issues or even enter a civil conversation with you.
What is that? It could be that you were both naïve, or one party has changed their perspective. But not to have a conversation? I for one, will always welcome information or perspectives that challenge my beliefs, words, or actions. I actually believe in some things. I believe there are absolute truths. It is possible that my understanding of the factors, environment, and of the reality of certain specific conditions may be naïve or simply incorrect and would accept being wrong. I also believe that one should be able to simply and directly associate an action with a principle.
I currently can come up with no reasonable explanation for those who profess liberty and limited government not only not working toward it, but actually enabling the opposite to be created while refusing to entertain any direct conversation to enlighten or explain this change. Additionally, delegitimizing or demonizing others, not in honest debate, but in order to persuade others that their actions are legitimate and opposing views are not to be heard, at all!
Consider this analogy: Bob steals your car. He proudly drives it around town claiming it is his new car. What would be Bob’s incentive to discuss or be questioned about his legitimate ownership of that car with you or with anyone? There would be no benefit in that discussion, right? Is this the situation? Once closely held and shared beliefs are discarded, one clearly must find new friends that share his new views and ignore those who shared their original beliefs. Those that support people in the pursuit of positions that can improve our country can be disregarded and disrespected with such little accounting it seems.
At some point there will surely be a reckoning for this sort. In the meantime, the effect of the “turning” of those that were once held in high regard is demoralizing to most who dare to peek into the world of politics and government. Maybe that is the plan: power corrupts one’s thinking process, more power and or the desire or expectation of that path surely tempts one’s soul.
Very sad to watch but sadder to experience with friends.
It is incumbent upon all who remain committed to implementing the principles espoused in the Republican platform to remain steadfast and to question those who we entrust with the powers to serve us in government. Those who find reasons to abandon those principles are abandoning our trust and should be required to provide reasonable explanations to those who have empowered them.
When they resist or refuse, that is the time to develop alternatives and not simply retreat from the fight. Confrontation and tension are a necessary part of managing our government as the tendency is for man to rule over others. Understand the issues, discuss and debate, but do not empower elected or appointed people to rule over you, and then ignore you. Get involved, stay involved. Use understanding and civility as best you are allowed, but do not shrink from those principles we all must defend in the face of escalated incivility from others. If we quit, we lose everything. Seek wisdom and education, then vote, act, and serve to those ends.
