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SyndicateIs It Too Late?, Part X – Time Is Running Out
By Robert Ringer - Monday, November 3, 2008
While a 1930s style deflationary depression is possible, the odds are against it. It is far more likely that the lethal combination of GAVEC and political expediency will result in a runaway inflation and, hence, a total breakdown of law and order. But time is running out.
Unless the general public is well educated in both morality and economics, they may very well follow a socialist demagogue down the road to collectivist enslavement. Let us never forget the words of Edmund Burke: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
Which is why we must begin implementing the Liberty-Education Solution now. When the final breakdown of our society is evident to all, it will be important for as many people as possible to have the knowledge and understanding necessary to reject solutions that will lead to the loss of their remaining liberties.
Readers who recognize that time is running out often ask me what they can do to help. The short answer is: “A lot.” More specifically, you can make a major contribution to the cause of freedom in many ways. For example:
- Begin reading the classic works on liberty and laissez faire capitalism that have been written by such authors as Thomas Paine (The Age of Reason), Lysander Spooner (No Treason), Henry Hazlitt (The Conquest of Poverty), Rose Wilder Lane (Give Me Liberty), Murray Rothbard (For A New Liberty), Ludwig von Mises (The Anti-Capitalistic Mentality), Friedrich A. Hayek (The Road to Serfdom) … the list is endless. Thanks to the Internet, you can easily find more books in this genre than you can hope to read in your lifetime.
- Give copies of such works to as many friends and associates as possible. If you can’t afford to give away books, pass along articles about freedom and capitalism via the Internet. (The Internet has become the most powerful tool for spreading the truth that the world has ever known.)
- Encourage others to do the same.
- Get the basics down pat so you do not become stymied by the false-premise arguments of collectivists and their mesmerized stooges. Get it clear in your mind why freedom and free markets are moral, and why they are the best systems possible for all people of goodwill. Then, take advantage of every opportunity to discuss these concepts with others. Remember, at its heart, freedom is a simple issue. But, initially, most people have to be led by the hand to be able to comprehend why the socialists’ Compassion Trap is not only immoral but harmful to the very people they claim to be concerned about.
Having said this, I feel compelled to warn you that when soliciting others to help with a mass education program, you should be prepared for a great deal of frustration. Not only are most people apathetic, but even those who believe in freedom and free enterprise are often unwilling to back up their beliefs with either time or money.
I know of several billionaires who clearly believe in the morality and efficacy of libertarianism, but none of them have shown a willingness to put up the kind of money needed to compete with the Demopublican Party’s monopoly. I’m talking about nothing less than an investment of several hundred million dollars in the cause of freedom, which would be less than what these people earn in a single year from their tax-free government bonds.
If you doubt how effective such an investment might be, remember that Ross Perot got 19 percent of the vote by investing a lot less than that in his presidential campaign – and he wasn’t a very attractive candidate. He was smart, pithy, and gutsy, but, unfortunately, he came across as a kook to many people. What liberty advocates need is a more charismatic version of Harry Browne, backed by a king’s ransom.
You might be thinking that a billionaire is under no obligation to spend his money on a campaign to educate the public on the morality and benefits of liberty and laissez-faire capitalism. If so, just know that I totally agree with you. Even if I had the power to do so, I would not force a multibillionaire to invest one dollar in such an endeavor.
But if I were an advisor to such a person, I would encourage him to make the investment because it would be in his own best interest to do so. I would try hard to make the case that if Marxism prevailed, he would likely lose everything — which would make the kind of investment I’m talking about seem like pocket change to him. In addition, I would remind him that if Marxism prevailed, his children and grandchildren would live under a collectivist dictatorship.
In simple terms, what I’m saying here is that if wealthy capitalists are unwilling to put their money where their mouths are, the case for freedom and free enterprise will be lost by default — unless everyday people like you and me are willing to engage in a grass-roots effort to carry the freedom torch to every corner of our nation.
Bottom line: We can’t count on billionaires to save us. Each of us has to do our share to help a majority of people rediscover the morals, ethics, and values that once served as the foundation of Western Civilization. Joe the Plumber has shown us just how effective an ordinary citizen can be.
A word of caution: The Liberty-Education Solution requires more from you than just a few months of concentrated, enthusiastic effort. At this late stage of the game, there can be no letup. Time is running out — and quickly. And keep in mind that it is crucial to emphasize the morality of liberty. The schmoozey J. McBama stuff doesn’t work.
Also, practice the art of keeping your explanations simple. It’s the only way to educate the masses. Those who are intent on taking away our freedom have become adept at the art of keeping things simple. That’s why they have been able to win over voters with meaningless slogans such as “Change we can believe in,” “I can create shared prosperity,” and “I’ll create wealth and prosperity for all Americans.” It’s rubbish, but people eat it up because it doesn’t require them to think.
I will end this series with the question posed in its title: Is it too late? I think the best way to answer that question is to ponder another question: Will evil triumph because good men did nothing? The Jews in Germany found out the answer to that one in the 1930s and 40s.
Let’s not wait until it’s too late for the Liberty-Education Solution to work. Time is running out, especially if socialists end up controlling all three branches of the government. Let’s start preparing for 2012 now.
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Copyright © 2012 Robert Ringer
ROBERT RINGER is a New York Times #1 bestselling author and host of the highly acclaimed Liberty Education Interview Series, which features interviews with top political, economic, and social leaders. He has appeared on Fox News, Fox Business, The Tonight Show, Today, The Dennis Miller Show, Good Morning America, The Lars Larson Show, ABC Nightline, and The Charlie Rose Show, and has been the subject of feature articles in such major publications as Time, People, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Barron's, and The New York Times.
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16 Responses to “Is It Too Late?, Part X – Time Is Running Out”
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I agree with you that it is now time to begin
educating those that have bought into the
goodwill promises of socialism. My biggest concern
is that it is the young brainwashed adults with
little experience in the true ways of socialism that
are helping to drive the forces focused on
eliminating our liberties and freedoms. It is this
group of Americans that we should focus
on…unfortunately, their young minds are bombarded
by the liberal educators in our schools and
colleges. Living in Taxachusetts, home of legendary
Democrats (Socialist) like Barney Frank and Edward
Kennedy, I will fight the fight as best I can! Let
us begin organizing state by state. I have never
been very interested in politics for obvious
reasons…however, for the sake of our country and
our children I will do everything that I can here in
MA.
I agree with you that it is going to take the involvement of many more people to be able to turn our country around going back to personal responsibility and individual freedoms for all. I am encouraging my family and friends to take the time to stay informed about legislation that is being debated and to write to our congressmen to ask them how the bill fits in the Constitution as it pertains to limited government as well as how the bill will guarantee the right of each citizen to have the freedom to live their life as they want to live it. It’s one thing to do our civic duty of voting every two years but then we (as a group) seem to not worry about what is happening until the next election. At that time we complain about what has been done to us by the people we send to Washington then vote to send them right back. It’s sometimes hard to see what effect one person can have on the process but we have to keep trying. As you said, we have to educate others as to what is happening and prod them into action along with our efforts. As I’ve heard it said before, we don’t always get what we want but we do get what we deserve. And I think that’s true if inaction is the norm.
Don
I see only one real problem with the Liberty-Education Solution: It requires thought and effort. The large part of our nation has become little more than 5 year old children, constantly with their hand out and crying when they don’t get what they want. We are offering them vegetables, while the opposition is offering candy. Which direction are they going to go? Even as they die of diabetes and malnutrition, they will scream for more candy. I really do hate to say this, but I’m afraid it really is too late to save this country. Any solution that requires thought or sacrifice will be rejected by the masses. All we can hope to accomplish is to prepare those who choose still to think. We may not be able to turn the tide, but we can at least build barriers so that our houses aren’t washed out to sea with the rest of the nation. I personally believe it is time to accept and prepare for an armed conflict, based solely on the fact that those who will listen to and understand the Liberty Revolution will not accept slavery.
Does anyone know of a credible online presentation (ie YouTube video) or DVD that I can cheaply and easily share with others on the principles of freedom disussed in this series. A good visual presentation can be a very powerful means to reaching and educating people and particularly for those who may have difficulty articulating these concepts to others. Has Robert created one? If not would he consider it?
Such a tool could easily be utilised through the medium of the internet or for the more motivated as part of organised discussion groups held throughout the country.
For your Liberty Education solution You start by advising to read the classics in Freedom. These are great, but often not the mainstream for ease of reading. Take the advice of Geo Bush the 1st with Sound Bite Technology. Unless it is easy, people will not remember it and will not follow it.
Remember the ease of understanding of:
“Workers of the world unite” No matter how abhorrent that statement and the rest of the Communist Manifesto was (in no matter what language it is translated to), it went to the heart of GAVECism that still lives today.
The forces of Freedom must have similar statements and cries to action.
God Bless Free Enterprise
System Devine
Stand Beside her, and guide her
just so long as the profits are mine!
People need to be proud of our freedoms and be ready to fight for them.
I believe that educating people about the Constitution is the key. I agree with donkeasler’s comments that we should challenge our legislators at every turn to explain how a bill is constitutional. But we must go further and challenge every left wing drone who wants to push their socialist views on us in the same way. Carry a pocket Constitution, and keep a few extra handy to give to the uninformed. I’m sure there are many for whom the Constitution has no meaning or value, and many more who selectively pick and choose the parts that fit their worldview. We will quickly find out by the responses of the GAVEC crowd whether we can bring the country back from the brink of extinction or if all is lost.
That is still not enough. We need Constitutional challenges, in the Supreme Court if need be, to assert our rights as citizens. I admit this is an uphill battle considering the ideological makeup of the courts. The difficulties Philip Berg has had in challenging B. McBama’s citizenship is a case in point.
We have to stop electing lawyers to run the country. The founders’ intent was that citizens be represented by their peers, not a bunch of ivory tower nimrods. We need to bring back common sense, which has become very uncommon not only in government but among the masses as well.
The internet is key to getting the message out, as you’ve obviously realized, Robert. Everyone who cares about freedom should blog often to get out the message.
The Constitutional Resources Project (http://www.consource.org/)is an excellent starting point for those who wish to study the Constitution in depth.
If you want real change and lasting change, we need to increase the power of State Legislatures. Before Amendment Seventeen was adopted, State Legislatures chose United States Senators (Article 1, Section 3). This was a check on federal government power and the President’s power. Read Article 1, Section 8 and Article 2, Section 2 dealing with treaties, supreme court Justices, military, and other issues. We need a Constitutional amendment that gives each State at least 3 United States Senators and has at least 1 of each State’s United States Senators chosen by the State Legislature of that State. Better trade agreements and treaties may be passed and better Supreme Court Justices may be picked if some United States Senators are chosen by State Legislatures. Our country might be involved in fewer Wars and have smaller deficits if some United States Senators are chosen by State Legislatures.
We also need State Legislatures to have the power to check the federal government by getting an Amendment adopted that gives State Legislatures the power to repeal federal laws, federal regulations, trade agreements, and treaties.
We need an Amendment that gives State Legislatures the ability to recall (fire) their Representatives to the United States House of Representatives, their United States Senators, the President, and the Vice President.
We need an Amendment that give the people the power to repeal federal laws, federal regulations, trade agreements, and treaties.
We need an Amendment that gives the people the power to recall (fire) their Representatives to the House of Representatives, their United States Senators, the President, and the Vice President.
Mention quotes from the Constitution in your writings to bring support for these things. You might want to have a daily or weekly newspaper column. You may want to see if The Green Papers http://www.thegreenpapers.com will accept Vox Populis from you. It has had several from me dealing with many topics. The person who runs the website might comment on them. He might post them. He might not.
Are you worried about the value of the dollar long term? Are you worried about the federal government having too much power? Are you worried about the President of the United States of America having too much power? Does the national debt increasing from less than 1 trillion dollars on January 20, 1981 to more than 10 trillion dollars now bother you? Does unfunded federal government mandates bother you that may increase State taxes and local taxes?
Walter E. Williams has “Political Monopoly Power” at http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/articles/08/PoliticalMonopolyPower.htm . He discusses the Federalist Papers and increasing the numbers of Representatives. Having between 870 Representatives and 3,480 Representatives to the United States House of Representatives might be very beneficial.
If a none of the above box obtains more votes than an elected official in a primary election, the elected official who lost to none of the above box should not be allowed to participate in the general election. This may scare elected officials into caring more about what the people want.
Article 1, Section 10 of the United States Constitution
“No State shall enter into a Treaty, Alliance, or Confederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money; emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin a Tender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex post facto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grant any Title of Nobility”
Article 1, Section 8 of the United States Constitution gives Congress the power
“To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes”
“To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures”
“To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States”
Congress should consider backing our currency with gold, silver, and other commodities. The more exploration for minerals on our lands and in our ocean waters the more commodities that could back our currency.
The federal government should sell a lot of the land that it owns to raise capital, reduce the national debt, and do other things. If you type federal government owned land on a search engine, you might be surprised at how much land the federal government owns. Some of the money the federal government obtains from the sale of the federal government owned land should go to state governments.
Congress should eliminate the Federal Reserve or make it part of Congress and veto the decisions of the Federal Reserve when Congress wants to veto them. Two members of the United States House of Representatives and two United States Senators should sit on the board of the Federal Reserve. When 3 of these members of Congress want a decision to be vetoed, it should be vetoed. A decision made by the Federal Reserve should be vetoed when a majority of the members of the United States House of Representatives wants the decision to be vetoed. A decision made by the Federal Reserve should be vetoed when a majority of the members of the United States Senate wants the decision to be vetoed.
Amendment Nine of the United States Constitution
“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”
Amendment Ten of the United States Constitution
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
Thanks for making me think. Thanks for making me angry.
Sincerely,
Ken Stremsky
Manchester, NH
I’m not a commie, but I can’t agree that government has no role in controlling the greedy. Unbridled capitalism leads to laws getting passed to control greed. The greedy then use the law making facilities to butter their bread a little more and more laws get passed to stop it. The system becomes a self-eating watermellon. I can’t believe that we need several hundred “law makers” living on the public dole to control every aspect of our lives; however, we do need a coordinated response to wild fires, floods, hurricanes and such.
I got so tired of dragging my butt into work each day and seeing over half of my paycheck go to various government give away programs that I worked hard to retire early. Now, at least, I don’t drag my sore bottom to work; I still give away half my income though.
Our government lies, cheats and steals. Our presidents don’t seem to have the dedication that the office requires. It’s to the point where I wonder why anyone would actually run for the job. Why bother?
Maybe it is time for the revolution.
This series is nothing short of a manifesto…a call to arms (well, fingers on keyboards and voices raised for folks to hear). I have shared the “Is It Too Late?” series with a number of friends and colleagues, and I believe Robert will have a number of new subscribers shortly.
If the Liberty Education Movement (yes, I said Movement) is to progress, how do we begin? Robert’s prescriptions of reading the classics and educating ourselves is a fine suggestion, but I think a more urgent, and concise approach is essential. As Robert advises in his piece, “[we must] practice the art of keeping our explanations simple. It’s the only way to educate the masses.” This necessity of simplicity and brevity is difficult to reconcile with the prescription of having a large number of Americans re-educated in the classics, and introduced to the reality that “legal” and “moral” are not synonyms.
Hopefully Robert has thoughts on this…as I’d hate to see this fine manifesto whither on the blog-vine after America redirects collective attention back to reality TV and inattention after November 4, 2008.
I like your solution of Liberty-Education to bring our citizens up to date. I do recommend different levels of education such as basics, advanced and professional citizentry.
Basics should cover the Constitution and what one’s role is in relation to the Constitution. Something that should have been in taught in schools but it’s always a good idea to cover it again. I don’t remember what was covered in High School.
Advance citizenship would cover such things as how does one correct things in one’s community, in one’s city, in one’s State and in one’s Country? What channels can one use to make things right?
Professional citizentry would cover a much more in depth differing philosophies and why ours was chosen and why it was the best of all choices.
The point of education is to raise the citizen’s awareness that things are not what they seem to be and what can you do about it. There is ALWAYS SOMETHING ONE CAN DO ABOUT IT. We are at this point because of the irresponsibities that have accumulated on our part for allowing things we know shouldn’t be done and not rising up and do SOMETHING about it. We need to grow some gonads and face up to what needs to be done to make things right again!
One last thing: I’m paraphrasing David Walker who used to work for the GAO and this is what I remember him saying: “The reason for the troubles we have come from two things we are seriously deficient in, morals and leadership”. In my humble opinion if we don’t repair these two areas, morals and leadership, all the education will not repair the damage that is insidously creeping up on us. In simple words, repair our inner character and the outside will take care of itself.
Thank you for creating an intellectual environment with which can communicate and share ideas that hopefully will educate us to do the right thing.
Best,
Bruce
Sunland, Ca.
After reading all previous articles, I’m beginning to feel hopeless.
I find myself agreeing with most of your positions.
I’m now convinced the only way we have a chance to get politicians back to working for the people and to limit their power is to vote the incumbents out of office each election cycle until we get term limits for all of them. I call it my IYIYO (If You’re In You’re Out)campaign.
I think if we all had the courage as voters to do this, we might have a chance at fixing what’s wrong. We’ll likely need to do this for the next 4 election cycles.
What could it hurt?
Then maybe we could demand simple bills and laws without multiple amendments and earmarks that could be debated on their own merits and voted uo or down.
Then maybe we could demand full disclosure of lobbyist support for and against each bill.
Hmmm… Maybe even eliminate Lobbyists.
In post war circumstances, hyperinflation would be expected. But, since 2003, electricity, gas, RE, & now food have all increased 100%…think it’ll go even higher?
A negative consumer savings rate & poor, at best, job prospects = most customers can’t even meet today’s overinflated prices..watch out below…
Response to fastcart:
I’ve always seen runaway inflation as inevitable, but never underestimate the government’s mischief-making abilities.
More borrowing, taxing, and printing are a certainty, but the powers pulling the political strings may come up with a way of messing with the currency that will make it almost impossible for the average person to know if he’s paying more or less for his utilities – or for anything else.
The most simplistic trick used in the past by governments of hyperinflation countries is to force everyone to trade in their old currency for a new fiat currency. Thus, a person might trade in a dollar bill for a newly printed one hundred dollar bill.
When it comes to politicians and money, shame is always in short supply.
Interesting question. People aren’t getting raises…So, even if a government prints $ like crazy – if people are broke, who can buy the hyperinflated goods?
I used to sell industrial supplies. Our products had real tangible benefits to customers..But they cost, 5X what customers reasonably wanted to pay.
And for that specific reason, the products didn’t sell at all.
Company eventually fire sold all that inventory & moved onto a new business. That’s some deflation.
I’ve read Looking Out For #1 about 20 times, and given copies to I-don’t-know-how-many people. I’m currently re-reading How You Can Find Happines During the Collapse of Western Civilization. Wish I’d have known about this site a long time ago.
Meanwhile, what does “GAVEC” stand for, please?
Response to Danlex:
GAVEC = Guiltism – Angerism – Villainism – Envyism – Covetism
Welcome to the site – and, please, spread the word. We have a big task ahead of us.