My Politics

I try very hard not to interfere with the affairs of politics, except to vote my conscience. But a friend of mine sent this to me and I am posting because I believe with my whole heart that it is a valid important message for us today as a people. I see apathy all around me in the world. I would say I might even have fallen prey to it at times. I hope this little reminder helps us remember.

Cycle of Democracy

"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover they can vote themselves largess from the public treasury.

"From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising them the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.

"The average age of the world's greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through this sequence:

"From bondage to spiritual faith;
from spiritual faith to great courage;
from courage to liberty;
from liberty to abundance;
from abundance to selfishness;
from selfishness to apathy;
from apathy to dependence;
from dependency back again into bondage."

Dr. Alexander Tytler, a Scot professor, wrote a scholarly tome, from which this concept comes, called "The Athenian Republic" which was published shortly before the thirteen American colonies gained independence from Britain.. "Google" him to learn more.

In publishing a handout on the "Cycle" in 1994 I noted that the national debt had reached a staggering $4.5 trillion dollars. A year ago (Oct. 1, '07) it had soared to $9.06 trillion! Barely one year later (Oct. 17, '08) it is $10.3 trillion!! Our forebears thought of debt as slavery. They would be shocked at what their descendants have done. - - John Wrisley.