It is precisely because of the gravity of the situation that I suggest that we do not succumb to fear by making foolish decisions. Those who do so will surely perpetuate the mistakes that are snowballing our country into financial ruin. Instead it is our responsibility to stand up for what is right and help others to remember that truth can prevail.
In the winter of 1776 Thomas Paine put into words the sentiments of a small band of patriots who faced a battle to save a nation they loved. His words have found profound meaning in times of crisis since then and lend wisdom to our present crisis:
"THESE are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated."
I would not suggest that the financial problems of today are comparable in magnitude to the fight for independence that Thomas Paine referred to but the nature of the challenge before us is the same, our freedom and liberties are in danger. Our economy teeters on the brink of ruin and in the frenzy of panic there are those who are trying to grab up power and control just like tyrants have done throughout history. Many wonder what to do, who to turn to, and what is right. While the details of the financial situation are admittedly complex, the principles are simple. The right course is to stand up for freedom and realize that you are not alone. Countless patriots have stood up and fought for liberty before you and their memory and the principles for which they fought implore you to take your turn to carry the torch of freedom and boldly hold it up for others to see the way.
The behavior of our elected officials has made more than a few people bitter and frustrated for a variety of reasons. One of those is the blatant encouragement of moral hazard. It's so obvious that many can only respond with half-joking sarcasm, thinking to themselves: "well since the government is handing out free money I should just buy that big ol' house that I've had my eye on. Heaven knows I can't afford it but hey if Uncle Sam is going to make sure I stay in it then why not?".
Don't be tempted to join the wave of immorality that is in fact part of the cause of this present crisis. The ultimate liberty to choose the moral path can never be taken from you and it is in times like these that that liberty must be exercised with unflinching confidence.
Our culture of herd behavior has led many to wrongly believe that only the masses can make significant change and so it is worthless to try to make a change.
My point is this; the greatest freedom you are inalienably entitled to is the freedom to choose whether or not to be moral. It is true that many of us do not have sufficient ability or opportunity to affect the political and economic decisions being made presently but all of us posses the sole ability to chose how we will live and those choices echo across the entire spectrum of our worldwide society.
You can make a difference.
You can practice sound principles of personal finance and responsibility
You can be honest in giving a full day’s work to your employer
You can care about your neighbor and those in need
You can add your voice to the small but growing group of those who raise the battle cry of freedom
You can be honest in giving a full day’s work to your employer
You can care about your neighbor and those in need
You can add your voice to the small but growing group of those who raise the battle cry of freedom
That’s a small list. There’s a hundred more things I could add to it. My point isn’t about a to-do list though, it’s about choosing for yourself how you’ll live each day even if the markets crash, people around you lie and steal, or hope seems dashed to pieces.
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