You're A Boiling Frog... And It's Getting Hot In Here
In graduate school, they taught us the parable of The Boiling Frog... and, though I think they meant us to take away a different lesson, the parable provides a perfect way to describe "progressivism:" the slow war against freedom, strength, and prosperity being waged in the United States since the late 19th century.
It goes like this: you put a frog in a pot of cool water on the stove... he's happy. You turn the temperature up one degree, the frog doesn't even notice. Every so often, you increase the temperature again - barely - and the frog doesn't move. Like all of nature's creatures, his instinct is to conserve his energy, and unless his brain gives him to believe it's absolutely necessary, he won't hop away. Eventually (and it does require time, and patience) you can boil the frog to death, even though he could save himself at any time.
That's progressivism. The American experiment - a constitutional republic based on strictly-limited government and the magical power of free enterprise - has produced the greatest boon of prosperity and strength in the history of mankind. Under American dominance, the entire world has been safer and better-off than it's ever been, and certainly moreso than it would've been without Uncle Sam. But we've become accustomed to success, and now we're like the frog on the stove. And it's getting hot in here.
That's because the progressives, especially now that they control the federal government, are turning up the heat. They don't believe in the American system, thinking instead that socialism and an all-powerful collectivist state would make everything more "fair." They think the wealthy have won too big, and they seek to take their wealth and redistribute it to the "losers" who, in their view, never had a fair chance.
Those who've been successful know this could not be further from the truth. Everyone has an equal chance in America. However, everyone does not achieve an equal outcome. Outcomes depend on many variables, including talent and effort. But those on the left want everyone to come out the same, and the only mechanism they have to achieve that is a big, all-controlling government. As has been proven again and again, though, if they get their way we are all screwed. No one will have any incentive to excellence - in any endeavor - and instead of redistributing wealth, we'll find our government masters have redistributed only misery and defeat, keeping for themselves the exclusive ownership of the few luxuries left to the society. If you doubt this, study the nations who've tried the big statist solution, such as Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and Cuba.
They have opposition, especially in these times when their patience has grown thin and they've yanked the temperature up precipitously beneath the steamy frog. The Tea Party is a prime example of how regular Americans are starting to notice the progressive heat, and they're boiling mad about it. There are two major problems, though, of which realistic investors and entrepreneurs must be aware: the progressives' opponents don't seem to know what to do about the whole mess, and it may be too late anyway to prevent the collapse of the American system.
It should be noted that progressivism is not the same as collectivism, nor statism, nor socialism. Collectivitists, statists, socialists, and communists are all very similar in their goals, and can be categorized together under any of those labels, or under that of "the Left." Progressivism is the method by which they hope to achieve totalitarian control by the Left. In places like the old Soviet Union and Cuba, they installed state control through revolution... progressivism is the boil-the-frog method, and seeks to achieve the same end in small, slow degrees, through evolution.
If we could halt progressivism and reverse it, going back toward the Constitution in degrees, that would be great (though the Left-controlled media would have a field day with the term "regressive"). But that probably wouldn't work, given the Left's achievement of control of every major institution that influences public opinion, from Hollywood to labor unions to academe to government. As a team, the Left is great at making you comfortable in the boiling water, even keeping a few flies buzzing around your head in the form of class envy and anti-capitalism messages that promise you'll be an easy beneficiary of their eventual victory. It's a bald lie, but it's easy to believe, especially when jumping out of the pan seems like such a bother.
At this point, it may be that progressivism will have to run its course, poverty and misery will have to grip the nation (and the world), and then we'll have to hit the real "re-set" button. What will then be required will be nothing less than a refounding of the American experiment on the bedrock of limited government and free, profit-motivated enterprise. In the meantime, you have to do what you can to protect yourself and your family. Start by examining your values, so that you'll be among the few who won't be suckered by the Left's false self-righteousness (when they call you greedy or racist or hateful, you'll know better in your own heart). Start a business, even if it's something you can run on the side while you keep your day job, so you'll have an income stream you can call your own (and so you'll build the entrepreneurial muscles you'll need later). And never stop educating yourself about the global conspiracy against wealth and freedom.
Progressivism is all around you, and what seems to warm your toes is really a threat that will boil you to death. If you can't jump, just try to resist. Stay cool. Things will get a lot worse, perhaps, but eventually they will get better when cooler heads prevail and the American experiment is refounded. And you'll be a big part of that.
by Michael D. Hume, M.S.
Michael Hume is a speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in helping people maximize their potential and enjoy inspiring lives. As part of his inspirational leadership mission, he coaches executives and leaders in growing their personal sense of well-being through wealth creation and management, along with personal vitality.
Michael and his wife, Kathryn, divide their time between homes in California and Colorado. They are very proud of their offspring, who grew up to include a homemaker, a rock star, a service talent, and a television expert. Two grandchildren also warm their hearts! Visit Michael's web site at http://michaelhume.net
Article Source:http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Hume
Did you find this article helpful?00
Get Involved0 commentsSuggest a topicArticle ToolsPrint this articleE-mail to a friendEzinePublisherReport this articleCite this articleStay InformedGet notified by email when new articles are added to this category or written by this author.Subscribe to New Article Alerts: News and Society: Economics
Michael Hume
Economics Article FeedFind More ArticlesSearchSimilar ArticlesProgressivism Isn't Progress, VIIProgressivism Isn't Progress, VIIIProgressivism Isn't Progress, VIProgressivism Isn't Progress, VProgressivism Isn't ProgressThe Academic Roots Of ProgressivismProgressivism Isn't Progress, IVRenewing Limited Government: Term LimitsRenewing Limited GovernmentRenewing Limited Government IIRecent ArticlesHow To Solve The Homeless SituationProgressivism Isn't Progress, VIIIHow Secure Is Your "Secure" Job?A True Comparison Of Increasing Debt Between Bush And Obama AdministrationsHow To Compete With ChinaWould Einstein Think Us Insane?What Will Happen If Greece Defaults?A Cluster of (Minor) ErrorsThe US Recovery Is Producing SurprisesA Sigh Of Relief For The Economic Status Of The USSubmitted On December 13, 2011. Viewed 7 times. Word count: 1,001.MLA Style Citation:Hume, Michael".".13 Dec. 2011EzineArticles.com.26 Jan. 2012
Hume, M. (2011, December 13). . Retrieved January 26, 2012, from http://ezinearticles.com/?Progressivism-Isnt-Progress---II&id=6755525Chicago Style Citation:
Hume, Michael "." EzineArticles.com. http://ezinearticles.com/?Progressivism-Isnt-Progress---II&id=6755525
EzineArticles.com© 2012 EzineArticles.comAll Rights Reserved WorldwideAbout UsFAQContact UsMember BenefitsPrivacy PolicyShopSite MapBlogTrainingVideo ArchiveAdvertisingAffiliatesCartoonsAuthorsSubmit ArticlesMembers LoginPremium MembershipExpert AuthorsEndorsementsEditorial GuidelinesTerms of ServicePublishersFollow UsTerms Of ServiceEzines / Email AlertsManage SubscriptionsEzineArticles RSS
View the Original article
No comments:
Post a Comment