Perfect savages
More than two thousand years ago we were warned by the "Historian of historians" that the people would 'unite their forces' and "massacre, banish, and plunder" each other and degenerate into perfect savages falling "once more" under the power of "a master and monarch" and become subjects of tyrants and despots.
Who would those "perfect savages" be today who 'unite their forces' and "massacre, banish, and plunder"?
Certainly, rioters who loot and rob, break and burn their own neighborhoods and communities would be a clear sign of that that perfect savagery predicted by Polybius long before the first Emperor seized control of the Republic. Roman history was punctuated with such riots[1] as it went from a capitalist practicing Republic to a social Democracy with its free bread and circuses. Long before its fall its fate was sealed by its apathy, immorality, and covetous practices.
But what are the early signs of that degeneration of both individuals and society? Riots are not caused by a few provocateurs who may mingle in the crowds but caused by the spirit of selfishness that has already made a home in the hearts of the inhabitance of the city.
We should all be conscious of the fact that socialism sows the seeds of that degeneration and tempts the appetite of the people for benefits provided at our neighbors' expense so that they bite one another.[2]
When people start to put their life, their comfort, their benefit before the lives of others the process of degeneration has already begun. Producing the next generation is about sacrifice.
A family is a social-economic unit of a free society from which the next generation receives its life, identity, and character. Break down the ties that bind a family together and the community and that process of loving sacrifice and society itself will begin the degeneration process that will bring its own destruction.
The modern war upon the facts of history[3] and the ease and abundance provided to the next generation by one of the most affluent societies in the history of mankind has pressed the generations that followed toward their own doom and demise.[4]
Not knowing the pain and struggles required to past down blessings from generation to generation the grandchildren of those who won freedom for their descendants will be subject to that "natural transformation" into "perfect savages" who banish freedom and liberty. Polybius warns the modern millennial of their inevitable transformation into perfect savages if they do not learn and appreciate their own history.
The evolution of society into "perfect savages" is a natural process that occurs when people individually abandon basic moral social responsibilities. When you make the State your Father and turn to its officers of authority to become your Benefactors you tear the vary fabric of society.
Before Polybius explained how the people's appetite for benefits at the expense of others would alter them God warned mankind that the next generation must personally and individually choose to support and even carry the responsibility and the burden of the former generation's care if they are to remain both strong and free upon the land. Any system of social welfare that lifts the burden from the individuals of the present generation through forced contributions will make the word of God in His commandments to none effect.
To "Honor thy Father and Mother" means to care for and prosper your parents so that "your days will be long upon the land" just as your parents cared for you. As a free society, individual families also care for their neighbors as much as they care about themselves through fervent charity which strengthens society. If the needy of society are provided for through force that process will strengthen the rulers of society until the people have forgotten the wisdom of righteousness and there is no one left with the liberty of choice but only despots and tyrants.
The daily ministration and free practice of Pure Religion in the care of the needy of society is no less important in the maintenance of a free society. The neglect of either will alter the minds of the people until life means little and morality of all is dissipated.
Actress Alyssa Milano recently announced to the world "‘My life would be completely lacking all its great joys’ if not for my two abortions." She went on to say, "It was my choice. And it was absolutely the right choice for me." The two children living in her womb were given no choice but death.
Millions rallied in support and millions were shocked and appalled. This division in society is predicting its downfall and destruction but it is present in far more subtle ways. Everyone who desires education, health, and welfare at the expense of their neighbor contributes to the degeneration and decay of the moral character of society. Being willing to take a bite out of one another will bring the whole of society to devour itself in wantonness and greed. The idea of desiring benefits at someone else's loss must be abhorrent in the minds of the people in order for society to remain free. Once the people have become accustomed and justified that forcing others to provide for what they want society's fate is sealed.
This degenerative process will repeat itself in each society throughout history as new generations fail to learn the hard lessons of previous generations. Many people today have little understanding of how the destructive despot rises to power nor do they see the signs of degeneration in communities that heralds their demise as free societies.
Weeks ago I wrote an article about a hazardous situation in the halls of Oregon government, the United States, and even the whole world. The reactions of the readers were varied but predictable. In an age when children graduating from public schools think socialism is a good thing and capitalism is a bad thing but are unable to give a clear or concise definition of either it is no surprise people can not reason out what the real problem is. You cannot hit the target if you have no ammunition.
Vanity and ignorances are the greatest tools of evil but they are both simply the by-product of a lack of humility and knowledge.
The article was not an indictment of the politicians who run for office and may violate the law governing campaigns but it was and is an indictment of the people who have allowed the unchecked process of empowerment through elections in their own government.
First, Article 2 Section 22 is the law in Oregon for everyone campaigning for political office and no court has ruled that the law is unconstitutional.
The "object" of Article 2 Section 22 was never even addressed in the Vannatta v. Keisling case. While the court accepted that prevention of a $100 donation might be considered and injury of a personal right, larger "contributions to as little as $1,000 per contributor did not violate the First Amendment."[5] The "object" of Article 2 Section 22 was the dampening of the power of "Big Money" contributions from special interest groups like corporate powers desiring to unduly influence legislative, executive, and even judicial branches of government for private gain. See http://preparingyou.com/wiki/Article_2_Section_22
Secondly, if Article 2 Section 22 is not law in Oregon why are politicians trying so hard to change that law with Joint Resolution 18?
Section(2)(a) of Joint Resolution 18 is not only an attempt by political opportunists greedy for gain to overthrow the will of the people expressed in Article 2 Section 22 but the changing of the reading of Article 2 Section 8 to exclude the people's former right to limit contribution by voting in Measure 6 is a clear attempt to keep the people from ever limiting the flow of lucrative campaign contributions ever again.
Even, Rob Davis of the Oregonian seems more than just reluctant to "speak to Power" or to reveal the Whole Truth to the people. A cursory examination of the facts concerning Article 2 Section 22 and the terms and effects of Joint Resolution 18 which is being sent to the voters reveals the corruption of the elected officials within the State of Oregon and the complicity of the news media. The travesty of suggesting that that Resolution has anything to do with an honest attempt at "campaign reform" should send an alarm in every "Middlesex village and farm".[6] But the sloth and apathy of the people have seduced them to slumber as their rights are eroded away. [7]
No Democracy can survive long when the people slumber in apathy and avarice. If there is no will to stand in peace and love for what is right, honest, and just, then there will be no salvation in voting. If there is no "hue and cry" to hold all persons elected accountable to what is right and required by the law the people have established then justice shall not prevail. Those who campaign for elected offices of a state are subject to the laws of the state. Certainly, those who are elected to forge the laws of the state are obligated to comply with the law they have sworn to uphold. When the people will not hold one another to righteousness then the people will be held to account for resulting unrighteousness.
There is also no reason to cling to an assumed right to bear arms nor boast of liberty if there is no will to stand for righteousness in a time of peace. When the very candidates who will swear to uphold the constitution of a State violate that constitution in their quest to obtain office then can an honest outcome should not be expected. If the people have not the will to hold one another to what is righteous the unrighteous will rule.
The Children of Savages
If public education works why do "51 percent of young people" have a positive outlook concerning socialism?
Why do the majority of high school and college graduates believe it is okay to take from their neighbor by force to provide social welfare for themselves and society?
Because people are already dependent economically, physically and psychologically upon governments to solve their problems, protect them from consequences, and provide not only their general welfare but their personal social security they have become "accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others". They then "institute the rule of violence; and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder,[the rights of their neighbor] until they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." The people who are to slothful to seek the whole truth have become a hoard of little tyrants and the "perfect savages" of Polybius.
The provision of personal welfare provided through the power of government undermines the possibility of liberty for the people. But to provide the benefits of society through charity and individual choice is the essence of the perfect law of liberty. A society can be free only if it provides welfare for its needy through the habit of volunteerism and the practice of charity. It is this truth expressed repeatedly in the Doctrines of Jesus that will set you free. Anything less will entangle you in the elements of the world entangling you again in a yoke of bondage.
The minds of children, the voters of tomorrow, have been turned over to thinking that entitlement at the expense of their neighbor is a good thing. Ignorant of their past and unclear as to what is required of each generation to regenerate or maintain a free society they are prepared to usher in the first tyrant that promises them "more" with "great swelling words of vanity". Liberty from responsibility is not freedom.[8]
Can a true Christian or Jew or Muslim or a Buddhist or even a pagan pray to their God or gods while they are applying to the Cains, Nimrods, Caesars of the world for free bread provided at the expense of their neighbor and even their neighbor's children? Can you desire the benefits and rewards of their benefaction knowing it is dependent upon the use of force and "the rule of violence"?
If you are a true follower of Christ or even a follower of Moses and Abraham you have a responsibility to not only seek righteousness but also to attend to the "weightier matters of the law"[9] without coveting your neighbor's goods.
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Footnotes
- ↑ Just a few include the 44 BC riot at the assassination of Julius Caesar. And in 38, 40 – Riots erupted in Alexandria devastating communities.
- ↑ "The masses continue with an appetite for benefits and the habit of receiving them by way of a rule of force and violence. The people, having grown accustomed to feed at the expense of others and to depend for their livelihood on the property of others... institute the rule of violence; and now uniting their forces massacre, banish, and plunder, until they degenerate again into perfect savages and find once more a master and monarch." Polybius
- ↑ “If history is deprived of the Truth, we are left with nothing but an idle, unprofitable tale.”― Polybius, The Rise of the Roman Empire
- ↑ : "But when a new generation arises and the democracy falls into the hands of the grandchildren of its founders, they have become so accustomed to freedom and equality that they no longer value them, and begin to aim at pre-eminence; and it is chiefly those of ample fortune who fall into this error. 6 So when they begin to lust for power and cannot attain it through themselves or their own good qualities, they ruin their estates, tempting and corrupting the people in every possible way. 7 And hence when by their foolish thirst for reputation they have created among the masses an appetite for gifts and the habit of receiving them, democracy in its turn is abolished and changes into a rule of force and violence." Polybius: The Histories Fragments of Book VI
- ↑ only $100 was at issue in footnote 9 in the Vannatta v. Keisling Supreme court case of 1997 we see "Buckley concluded that statutes restricting campaign contributions to as little as $1,000 per contributor did not violate the First Amendment. However, two recent federal circuit court cases have ruled that statutes limiting campaign contributions to as low as $100 did violate the First Amendment." VANNATTA· v. KEISLING Cite as 931 P.2d 770 (Or. 1997)
- ↑ From the poem The midnight ride of Paul Revere, when,
- "In the hour of darkness and peril and need,
- The people will waken and listen to hear"
- ↑ Read Fake Reform http://preparingyou.com/wiki/Article_2_Section_22#Fake_Reform
- ↑ 2 Peter 2:18-20 "For when they speak great swelling [words] of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, [through much] wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. 20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
- ↑ Matthew 23:23 "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone." see http://preparingyou.com/wiki/Weightier_matters