Instead what died, died in me—and that was hope for this
country. I see no path to a better tomorrow. In a world where envy is rewarded
and initiative reviled, those who produce will see the futility of their
actions and surrender to the undeniable appeal of self-interest. (What dog,
being tortured and consumed by fleas, might not prefer to become a flea
himself?)
As the entrepreneurs, explorers, inventors and creators—many of whom are also misguided enablers
in our sad drama—become fewer and fewer, we shall become a nation of hoarders,
thieves and bandits. Only the bullies or well-connected will survive, and
corruption will become the pre-eminent virtue. The government shall rise as the
foretold beast to apportion shares of a rotting carcass to those most willing
to pay obeisance.
Of course, this will not happen overnight. I am 51 and will likely
be in my grave before the convulsive death of this not-so-brave world (with
such pathetic people in it!). But I expect to be more and more harnessed and
harassed by the state. With one more Obama-appointed Supreme Court Justice, the
First and Second Amendments of the U.S. Constitution will be lost. The Commerce
Clause will be stretched beyond absurdity, and Congress will decide to regulate whatever
aspects of our lives it so pleases. When Congress declines, this president (and
surely also those that follow) will simply issue “executive orders” to see his
will done. Or maybe the unfettered bureaucracies will invent new mandates of
their own. When there are complaints, enticements or exemptions will be
dispensed to just enough demographic groups or special interests to keep the
ruling class in power. For the individualists, or those who turn to something
other than government for affirmation and reward, there will only be more and
more hardship and servitude. Of course, when the rulers have acquired enough
power, the fleas will have to go back to work and again produce to please their
new masters. (I fervently hope that some of today’s Occupy Wall Street types
are still around to get to meet THAT 1%!)
For now, and while I can, I will turn my back on the sad
state of affairs that unfolded last evening. (Unfortunately, when the drug
addict that refuses treatment is also the mayor, police chief and justice of
the peace, there is only so much you can do to escape his madness.) But for
what cold comfort it brings, I will pass through the stages of grief for the
country that was, and move on. After all, there remain many things actually worth
caring about until my time ends.
I must accept that the USA was nice while it lasted.
