Crisis or Crying Wolf?

Crisis or Crying Wolf?

Apparently, according to the mainstream media and scheming politicians, we live in an age where all challenges are a crisis, not just a problem.  Americans are living longer than ever before, but we have an obesity crisis, especially a child obesity crisis.  Americans are understandably concerned about the rising cost of medical care (due primarily to a lack of tort reform and a lack of individual tax deductibility), but voila, it is now a health care crisis that requires government to take over our health care system!  

The list of these man-contrived crises goes on and on—climate change, teenage smoking, handgun violence, teenage drinking, drunken driving, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans’ suicides, Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans’ violence…  And that’s just touched the tip of the iceberg.  Some of these are real problems that need to be addressed and others are imaginary crises created by cynical politicians who see an opportunity to gain more power over American citizens.

So what’s new?  Sinful man has always sought to gain power over others.  As Machiavelli correctly observed, “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  Or, as Alexis de Tocqueville wrote, “When those in power realize that they can perpetuate themselves in power through taxing, spending, and electing, democracy is dead.”

Phony crises cause us to take our eyes off the ball.  Real crises are ignored because these same politicians either wish to stick their head in the sand or because they wish to believe the crisis doesn’t really exist.

Terrorism attacks on the United States become, in the words of US Secretary for Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, “man created catastrophes.”  Sky high spending causing a tripling of the national debt makes it “necessary” to “stimulate” the economy, even though the primary purpose of the bill is to provide “pork” for Congressmen and Senators to get themselves re-elected.  Alexis de Tocqueville would be shaking his head sadly. 

Shrinking freedom caused by government expansion and justice denied by misguided judges that ignore the Constitution threaten the foundations of our nation.  A total breakdown in morality boldly exhibited on our televisions and a collapse of civility signal a true crisis in our land.  A crisis that continues to be ignored and obfuscated as the latest phony crisis is rolled out to turn our heads elsewhere.

America, it’s time for a reality check.  Fat Americans, high health care costs, teenage smoking, climate change, and drunken driving may be problems, but they are not threatening the survival of our nation.  What America needs is not more pontificating politicians, or more nattering news analysts.  What is needed is spiritual renewal.  Nothing short of spiritual renewal will restore the morality and civility and clear thinking that is absolutely vital to getting the United States of America back on track.  Nothing else will return our land to the rule of law and restore the foundations of our republic.  It’s time to put first things first.