On beyond paralysis

Let's get one thing straight: The main thing so many people are frightened is because The Powers That Be are trying so hard to scare us all. The why of it was obvious back when the giant Mencken was walking the Earth:

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

As we clamor to be led to safety, TPTB are forging new chains. To this point in our history, they have been economic chains — confiscatory taxation, debts, rules and regulations — and it seems a matter of time before they become literal chains, but those won't be necessary if we let them succeed. Economic chains well-forged make literal chains unnecessary.

Always — Always! — when the news of the day causes you to grow anxious and afraid for your future or your children's future, look around: Who is it who benefits from your fear? How do the "practical politicians" propose to solve the crisis caused by the latest menacing hobgoblin — and how do TPTB profit by passing this legislation (it's always legislation)?

Resist any solution that steals more freedom or independence from you or your business or your property. Ask why. "Why is this hobgoblin such a menace that the only solution you propose is to restrict our freedom and take our liberty away?" Shine a light and the rodents may scurry away — even if they don't, the things they tell you to fear won't seem near as big and terrifying shining in the sun as they do now, hiding in the midnight darkness.

Refuse to be afraid. It's hardest to keep your fears under control when so many forces are trying so hard to alarm you. No doubt they have fearful purposes of their own, but they feed on our fear. Refuse to be afraid. It's the first step on beyond the paralysis of fear, the first step toward freeing yourself and following your dreams.