George Guzzardo has studied the history of freedom extensively. In this article, he shares his thoughts on the state of American freedoms. George is one of the founders of the LIFE Business that is teaching leadership and life principles directly to the people through books, cds, and seminars. Start with the Mental Fitness Challenge if you are new to this site. Orrin Woodward and the LIFE Business dream of changing the world one life at a time, similar to how it changed George's life.
The reason that the founders of America designed the government after a republic is because they realized that no democracy ever survived once the population discovered how to vote in their special interest. This should be concerning to all of us who read and hear the media making the point that we live in a democracy. It should also be a concern to us when we hear most of the elected polititions use the same points. We need to understand that we live in a Republic.
I believe we are approaching a perfect storm in history. Influence from political parties, the school systems, and the media have developed a mind - set of new values. The so - called progressive party (idea of a central planning) seized hold of our government around 1913 *. Ludwig von Mises wrote, “No intelligent man could fail to recognize that what the socialists and planners were aiming at was the most radical abolition of the individuals freedom and the establishment of government omnipotence.” From that point there was a concerted effort to influence the people to rely on the government instead of them selves. This plan had to be manufactured with the help of the school system (which interestingly became federally funded). Former teacher of the year, John Taylor Gatto wrote, “Education reformer Horace Mann, who was credited with making school attendance compulsory, was bankrolled by men of wealth who promised him Daniel Webster’s seat in congress.” Lastly, the media message had to get in line.
Messages from dominant sources of information would become an efficient way of ensuring loyalty to certain ideas and attitudes. All sources of media had to have the same messaging. Simultaneously, the roots of history had to become watered down to names and dates. Our country’s founding principles would then become irrelevant. By doing this Benjamin Desraeli wrote, “All important events would be controlled by an invisible government of which the public was unaware.” This is where we find ourselves today.
Author and educator Oilver DeMille wrote, “Preserving freedom requires a leadership education.” This would include a self - directed education targeted at not just learning the roots of our history but why those roots were there. We need first to understand what is right (moral), then have the moral courage to act. It takes moral courage to act on principle when it would be easier to vote for our selfish desires. A study of democracies eventually leads one to realize that voting in the rights of special interest groups leads to a downhill spiral. Throughout all history, no democracy ever survived when the populace learned to vote in its special interest. This leads directly what we are hearing from our government officials and the media that mislead us into believing that we live in a democracy. Entitlements spiraling out of control are one indicator of a tipping point in a republic. The ultimate end point leads to dependence and apathy.
Benjamin Franklin wrote, “Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.” An informed population who are willing to stand with moral courage will no longer be seduced by government candidate’s entitlements or main stream media propaganda. Strength of character is what led to the formation of this republic. The next time you hear about our government in gridlock and they can’t get anything done be thankful. That is the very reason why our founders created a republic. This places the emphasis back on us if we have the courage to accept it. Are we willing to accept the responsibility of self –governance? If we do then a self –directed education will lead to a greater understanding of the foundational principles of a republic. A republic is preserved only when people take on responsibilities of self – governance. Courage to act is the antithesis to apathy and dependence is required.
There has never been a more important time than now to pursue your LIFE business. We’ve been fortunate to meet great leaders of principle like Orrin Woodward, the Policy Council, and the Round Tables who have pioneered a leadership development model called compensated communities. As we approach the end of the year it’s not time to slow down and reflect, it’s time to speed up and commit. As Thomas Jefferson wrote, “God grant that men of principle shall be our principle men.” God Bless, George Guzzardo
