TheGeniusofForrestGump

ByWarrenL.Hahn,CEP IrecentlyhadtheawesomepleasureofattendingmyfirstInfiniteBankingSeminar presentedbyR.NelsonNash.Itwasenlighteningtosaytheleast!Nelsonsanecdotal informationwastrulymesmerizing(IwishIcouldclonehim).Anyway,sometime duringtheseminarhetoldajoke(astory,really)aboutthemoviecharacterForrestGump andIplantouseittostartmyfirstseminar.<p> Itgoessomethinglikethis:ForresthadpassedawayandwasatthePearlyGatesaboutto enterwhenSt.Peteraddressedhimandsaidthattheyweregladtoseehim,butbeforehe couldenterheavenhemustfirstanswerthreequestions.Forrestwasnervous,butbraced himselfforthefirstquestion.St.Peterasked,Whattwodaysoftheweekstartwiththe letterT?Forrestsaid,Thatwouldbetodayandtomorrow.St.Peterlaughedatthe responseandsaidtheanswerwascorrect,buthewasthinkingofTuesdayand Thursday.<p> Now,St.Peterfiredoffthenextquestion,Howmanysecondsarethereinayear? Forrestrubbedhischinandpacedbackandforth.Finallyhesaid,12.St.Petersadly saidthattheanswerwascompletelywrongandthatForrestcouldnotenter.Forrestsaid nd nd nd hereallythoughtthathehaditrightJanuary2 ,February2 ,March2 , At thispointSt.Peterrelentedandsaidhewouldgivehimfullcreditforhisanswer.<p> ThefinalquestionSt.Petersaidwasthehardestofall.WhatisGodsfirstname? Forrestsaid,Golly,St.Peter,thatstheeasiestofall hisfirstnameisAndy.St.Peter threwuphishandsandsaid,WheredidyoucomeupwithAndyasGodsfirstname? Forrestsmiledandsang,Andywalkswithme,Andytalkswithme,AndytellsmeIam Hisown.St.Peteropensthegatesandsays,Run,Forrest,run!<p> IthinkthisagreatstorybecauseForrestsmindwasopentoallpossibleanswersandthat iswhatIwantmyaudiencetodo opentheirmindsandfreethemselvesfromthe restrictionofconventionalwisdom.Infact,Iwantthemtothinkaboutthatmovie. Forrestwasconsideredtobeslowanddimwitted,buteverythinghedidwaseithergood, pure,heroic,andsuccessful.<p> Doyourememberwhathismothertoldhimtosaywhensomebodycalledhimstupid? Hewastosay,Stupidisasstupiddoes.Thinkaboutthatstatementandwhatitmeans youareonlystupidifyoudosomethingstupid!Forrestwasbrilliantbyhisactions. <p> Letscarrythisanalogyalittlefurther.Hebecameawealthyshrimpboatcaptain.But, whenhefirststartedhewaslaughedatbecauseheknewnothingaboutcatchingshrimp. Hewentoutsailingeverydayanddroppedhisnetsandcamebackwiththeholdsofthe boatempty.Itwasntuntilhewentoutinthefaceofahugestormwhenalltheother boatsstayedinporttiedtothedocksthathebecamesuccessful.Yousee,hefoughtthat stormandcontinuallymaneuveredhisboatonheadingsthatkeptitafloat.Whenhegot

backtoporthiswastheonlyboatafloat.Theentireshrimpboatfleethadbeendestroyed bythestorm.Theyhadnowaytomaneuver theywereinporttiedtothedocks. Theysufferedthesamefateasthe401Kwonksthattiedtheirfuturetothetechstocks, IPOsandboughtcompaniesthatnevermadeaprofit,buthadmarketshare.They laughed,too,attheForrestGumpinvestorswhoheldontothebeliefsthatcompanies werevaluedbasedontheirprofitability,andthatfixedincomeassetsandrealproperty werepartofasuccessfulportfoliothatcouldmaneuverinanystorm.<p> IwantanaudiencefullofForrestGumpswhoarewillingtosetsailonthewindsofthe InfiniteBankingTheology.<p>
WarrenHahnisamemberoftheInfiniteBankingConceptsthinktankandlivesinFayetteville,NC<p> ______________________________________________________________________________________

"Bewaretheleaderwhobangsthedrumsofwarinordertowhipthecitizenryinto apatrioticfervor,forpatriotismisindeedadoubleedgedsword.Itboth emboldenstheblood,justasitnarrowsthemind.Andwhenthedrumsofwar havereachedafeverpitchandthebloodboilswithhateandthemindhas closed,theleaderwillhavenoneedinseizingtherightsofthecitizenry.Rather, thecitizenry,infusedwithfearandblindedbypatriotism,willofferupalloftheir rightsuntotheleaderandgladlyso.HowdoIknow?ForthisiswhatIhave done.AndIamCaesar."<p>JuliusCaesar

RewritingHistory,AmericanStyle<p>
byThomasJ.DiLorenzo<p> Inhisbook,LincolnReconsidered,PulitzerprizewinningLincolnbiographerDavid Donaldremarkedthat,afterLincolnsdeathand"reincarnation"asasecularpolitical saint,politiciansofallstripesbeganattachingthemselvestohislegacy.Menwhowere hisbitterestpoliticalenemiesduringhislifetimeallofasuddenclaimedtohavebeenhis closestfriendsandassociates.TheCommunistPartyU.S.A.adorneditsNewYorkCity headquarters,writesDonald,withhugeportraitsofLincolnandheldannualLincoln LeninDayparades.<p> Noone,ofcourse,hastakentheworshippingofAbrahamLincolntogreaterextremes than theRepublicanPartyandsomeofitsaffiliatedfoundationsandthinktanks.The RepublicanPartyhaslongsoughttogiveitspoliticalagendamoralauthorityby remindingusallthatitis,afterall,"ThePartyofLincoln."Thatiscertainlytruebut, unfortunately,theRepublicanPartyandsomeofitsassociatedthinktankshave apparentlyfounditnecessarytodowhattheyonceaccusedtheSovietUnionofdoing: rewritinghistoryinordertoenhanceitsprestigeandpower. <p>

Take,forinstance,aWashington,DC,outfitknownasthe"DeclarationFoundation"that ispurportedlydevotedtotheprinciplesembodiedintheDeclarationofIndependence.It doessobylionizingLincoln(asthoughhestillneedsmorelionizing)andconstantly remindingRepublicanpoliticianstodothisorthatbecause"Lincolnwouldhavedoneit." OneofitsslogansistheLincolnianphrase,"LibertyandUnion Forever"(emphasis added).<p> TheDeclarationFoundationdoessomegoodwork,judgingbyitsWebsite,butitsvery nameissomewhatOrwellian.ConsidertheoneprincipleoftheDeclarationof IndependencethatThomasJeffersonismostnotedfor,theideathatgovernmentsderive theirjustpowersfromtheconsentofthegoverned,andthatwhenevergovernments becomedestructiveoflibertyitistheduty ofcitizenstoabolishthatgovernmentand replaceitwithanewone.<p> TheDeclaration,afterall,wasaDeclarationofSecessionfromEngland.TheAmerican Revolutionwasawarofsecession,justastheWarforSouthernIndependencewas. MassachusettsSenatorTimothyPickering,whoservedasGeorgeWashingtonsadjutant general,SecretaryofWar,andSecretaryofState,oncesaidthatsecessionwas"the" principleoftheAmericanRevolution theveryrightthattherevolutionariesfoughtfor. TheDeclarationFoundation,ontheotherhand,preachesexactlytheoppositewithits "UnionForever"philosophy.<p> Lincolnspoliticaltriumphwas,ifanything,arepudiation oftheJeffersonianphilosophy ofgovernmentandavictoryforhispoliticaladversaries,theHamiltonians,whoby1861 hadmorphedintotheRepublicanParty.LikeallthefoundingfathersJeffersonwanted theUniontothrive,buthealsoagreedwithhiscolleagueTimothyPickeringthat secessionwasafundamentalright.InhisFirstInauguralAddresshedeclared,"Iftherebe anyamonguswhowouldwishtodissolvethisunion...letthemstandundisturbedas monumentsofthesafetywithwhicherrorofopinionmaybetoleratedwherereasonis leftfreetocombatit."Hewaschampioningtherightoffreespeechhere,butalsothe rightofsecession.<p> InalettertoJamesMadisonin1816Jeffersonreiteratedhissupportoftherightof secessionbysaying,"IfanystateintheUnionwilldeclarethatitprefersseparation...to acontinuanceinunion...Ihavenohesitationinsaying,letusseparate."<p> AlexisdeTocqueville,whomeveryoneregardsasabrilliantobserverandchroniclerof theAmericansystemofgovernment,wrotein DemocracyinAmericathat"TheUnion wasformedbythevoluntaryagreementoftheStatesandinunitingtogethertheyhave notforfeitedtheirnationality....Ifoneofthestateschoosestowithdrawfromthe compact...theFederalGovernmentwouldhavenomeansofmaintainingitsclaims directlyeitherbyforceorright."(Tocquevillecouldneverhaveimaginedthatbarely thirtyyearslateranAmericanpresidentwouldcommitthebarbaricactofhavinghis armiesmurder300,000fellowcitizensanddestroytheireconomytodenythemtheright ofsecession).<p>

EvenAbrahamLincolnvoicedsupportfortherightofsecessionwhenitservedhis politicalpurposes.Heenthusiasticallyembraced(andorchestrated)thesecessionof westernVirginia(aslavestate)whenitjoinedtheUnion.AndonJanuary12,1848,he announcedthat"anypeopleanywhere,beinginclinedandhavingthepower,havethe righttoriseupandshakeofftheexistinggovernment,andformanewonethatsuitsthem better....Noristhisrightconfinedtocasesinwhichthewholepeopleofanexisting governmentmaychoosetoexerciseit.Anyportionofsuchpeople,thatcan,may revolutionize,andmaketheirownofsomuchoftheterritoryastheyinhabit."Dontlook forthisquote,though,inanyofthematerialsproducedbytheDeclaration Foundation.<p> Asof1860mostNorthernersandSouthernersbelievedintheJeffersonianrightof secessionasenshrinedintheDeclarationofIndependence.In NorthernEditorialson SecessionHowardCecilPerkinssurveyedabout1,000Northernnewspapersandfound thatthemajorityofthemagreedbasicallywith whattheBangorDailyUnionwroteon November13,1860:"TheUniondependsforitscontinuanceonthefreeconsentandwill ofthesovereignpeopleofeachstate,andwhenthatconsentandwilliswithdrawnon eitherpart,theirUnionisgone."AstatethatiscoercedtoremainintheUnionbecomesa "subjectprovince"andcanneverbe"acoequalmemberoftheAmericanUnion."<p> NewYorkTribuneeditorHoraceGreeley,aprominentRepublican,editorializedon December17,1860,thatiftyrannyanddespotismjustifiedtheRevolutionof1776,then "wedonotseewhyitwouldnotjustifythesecessionofFiveMillionsofSouthronsfrom theFederalUnionin1861."OnFebruary5,1861,Greeleycontinuedonthat"TheGreat PrincipleembodiedbyJeffersonintheDeclarationis...thatgovernmentsderivetheir justpowerfromtheconsentofthegoverned."Therefore,ifheSouthernstateswantto secede,"theyhaveaclearrighttodoso."Atthistime,Northernersknewthatiftherewas tobeawaritwasnotawar"tofreetheslaves,"buttodenySouthernerstherightof secession.Inan1862lettertoHoraceGreeleyLincolnhimselfdeclaredthathis "paramountobjective"inthewarwastodestroytherightofsecessionor,asherephrased it,to"savetheUnion,"andthatifhecoulddothatwithoutfreeingasingleslavehe wouldgladlydoso.<p> TheDeclarationFoundation,theClaremontInstitute,andotherselfproclaimedbeacons oftheLincolnianphilosophy,preachexactlytheopposite.Theyperpetuatethe preposterousmyththattherewasneveranysuchthingasarightofsecession ina countrythatwasformedbyawarofsecession.Indoingsotheyrewritehistoryto legitimizethehighlycentralizedwelfare/warfarestatethatLincoln,morethananyone else,helpedbringaboutinAmerica.TheDeclarationFoundation,inotherwords, repudiatestheprinciplesoftheDeclarationofIndependencewhiletryingtoconvincethe publicthatitisactuallychampioningthem.<p> ThesecondmostnotableprincipleoftheDeclarationisthenotionthat"allmenare createdequal."TheDeclarationFoundationandtheClaremontInstituteportrayLincoln asanalmostChristlikefigurebecauseofhissupposedembraceofthisprinciple,butthis ishardtosquarewithmanyof Lincolnsownlifelongbeliefsandclear,unambiguous

statements.Inhis1858Ottawa,IllinoisdebatewithStephenDouglas,forexample,he statedthat"Ihavenopurposetointroducepoliticalandsocialequalitybetweenthewhite andblackraces.... I...aminfavoroftheracetowhichIbelonghavingthesuperior position.Ihaveneversaidanythingtothecontrary."<p> Lincolnwentontodeclarethathehadneverbeeninfavor"ofmakingvotersorjurorsof Negroes,norofqualifyingthemtoholdoffice,nortointermarrywithwhitepeople."He literally mockedtheJeffersoniandictumthat"allmenarecreatedequal"byclaimingthat, withthepossibleexceptionofSiamesetwins,"IamsorrytosaythatIhaveneverseen twomenofwhomitistrue."<p> OnthetopicofemancipationLincolnsaid,"Freethem,andmakethempoliticallyand sociallyourequals?Myownfeelingswillnotadmitofthis....Wecannot,thenmake themequals."<p> Itdoesntgetanyclearerthanthat.Lincolnunequivocallydenouncedtheprincipleofthe DeclarationofIndependencethatallmenarecreatedequal,especiallywhenitcomesto menofthewhiteandblackraces.Evertheslickpolitician,herhetoricallydefendedthe "naturalrights"ofallpeople,butblackscouldneverenjoysuchrightsiftheyweredenied alltherightsthatLincolnwoulddenythem.Inhis1852eulogytoHenryClayLincoln statedthatheagreedwithClaythatslaverywasregrettable,butendingitwouldproduce "agreaterevil,eventothecauseofhumanlibertyitself."Dontlookforthisline,either, inanyoftheDeclarationFoundationspublications.<p> Lincolnscareerlonggoal,whichheclungtountilthedayhedied,wascolonization to sendeverylastblackpersonintheU.S.toAfrica,CentralAmerica,Haiti anywherebut theU.S.This,saidLincoln,wouldbea"gloriousconsummation."Theycouldbe"equal" allright,butnothere.ThisledAmericasmostprominentabolitionist,WilliamLloyd Garrison,todenounceLincolnas"thePresidentofAfricanColonization"andtodeclare thathe"hadnotadropofantislaverybloodinhisveins."Again,dontlookforthisin anyDeclarationFoundationorClaremontInstitutepublications.<p> AlthoughtheDeclarationFoundationandtheClaremontInstituteare"conservative" organizations,theyjoinhandswithprominenthardcoreleftistsindistortingthereal meaningoftheDeclarationofIndependence.In LincolnatGettysburg thefarleft journalistGarryWillscelebratesthis"openairsleightofhand"andLincolnsuseof militaryforceto"remakeAmerica"inawaythatmadeegalitarianism,ratherthanliberty, theprevailingpoliticalphilosophy.<p> LeftofCenterColumbiaUniversitylawprofessorGeorgeP.FletcherconcurswithWills in OurSecretConstitution,wherehepraisesLincolnfor"reinventingtheUnitedStates" governmentfromonewhosemaingoalwasthedefenseoflibertyto"nationalism, egalitarianism,anddemocracy."<p> Overthepastcenturynationalismhasbeenthechiefsourceofthewarsthathavekilled millionsofciviliansegalitarianismhashelpedcreatesocialistandwelfarestatesthat

havedestroyedeconomyaftereconomyandunbridleddemocracyhasdecimatedliberty. TheRepublicanandDemocraticpartieshavechampionedallofthesethingsoverthepast century,andtheyusewhatJosephSobranhascalledthe"FantasyLincoln"tohelpprop uptheircorruptregimes<p> ________________________________________________________________________

TheElementsofLeadership<p>
byGaryNorth<p> Yesterday,Ilecturedhalfadozenhighschoolstudentsontheelementsofleadership. ThesewereprescreenedstudentsatasmallbutrapidlygrowingChristianschool.They hadalreadydemonstratedleadershipabilities.Theywerecomingoutforhalfaworkday toshelveafewofmybooks.<p> WhatcouldItellthemofvaluein45minutes?Notmuch.<p> Herearesomeofthebasics.Maybethesewillbeinterestingtoyou.<p> SELFIMPROVEMENT<p> Therearefewerleadersthanfollowers.Overandover,weseeParetos2080rulein action.About20%ofaparticulargroupwillaccountfor80%oftheproductivity,or trouble,orwhateveritisyoureconsidering.Leadershipinvolvesgainingaccesstothe 20%,andthen,overtime,thetop4%(20%of20%).<p> Thefactis,mostpeopledontwanttoleadinmostareasoflife.But80%ofthemdo wanttoleadinsomearea.Theywanttoberespectedforsomething.Leadershipisasign ofrespect.Peoplefeelillequippedinmostareas,butinsomeareathattheyknow somethingabout,peoplearewillingtoleadthe80%whodontknowwhatshappening inthisarea.<p> Ithinkalmostanyonecanbeturnedintoaleader,ifheorshewantstobecomeone.This personwontbealeaderineveryarea,butinonearea,yes.Butthepersonmustpaythe price.<p> ThegreatestbookIhaveeverreadonleadershipisDouglasHydesDedicationand Leadership.Itwaspublishedin1956alongtimeago.Itsstillinprint.Hydehadbeena leaderintheCommunistPartyinEnglandduringthe1930sand1940s.Heroseinthe CPtobecomeeditoroftheCPsdailynewspaper.HeconvertedtoCatholicisminthelate 1940s,asherecordsinhisautobiography,MyStory.Inseminars,hebeganteaching CatholicpriestsaboutthetechniquesusedbytheCommunistsingaininginfluence. DedicationandLeadershipisashortversionofhisseminarsonleadership techniques.<p>

Inthebook,thereisaremarkablechapter,"TheStoryofJim."Hydehadgivenaspeech inwhichhesaidthathecouldmakeanyoneintoaleader.Afterthelecture,an overweight,stutteringmancameupandaskedhimtomakehimaleader.Hisnamewas Jim.Hydeknewhehadhisworkcutoutforhim.Hewenttowork.<p> HehadJimdedicatehimselfforayeartomasteringhistrade.Hewasafactoryworker. HetoldJimtoshowupateverytradeunionmeeting,setupchairs,dothegruntwork, andkeephismouthshut.Inotherwords,hetoldJimtomakehimselfusefulinsimple ways.But,mostimportant,wouldbeJimscommitmenttodoingthebestjobhecouldon theproductionline.Hehadtoshowhisfellowworkersthathewascompetent.Actions speaklouderthanwords.<p> Jimdidashewastold.Withintwoyears,hehadbecomealeaderintheunion.Hehad workedoncontrollinghisstuttering.Hisconfidencelevelwasmuchhigher.Hewas,of course,evenmorededicatedtotheCommunistParty,becauseHydehaddeliveredonhis promise.<p> Whydoesthisstrategywork?Becauseoftwothings:(1)mensrespectforworkwell done,whichinturnreflectsontheworker (2)theserviceprinciple.<p> TheCommunistsstolethesecondpointfromJesus.Thediscipleshadbeensquabbling overwhichofthemwouldexerciseleadership.<p> ButJesuscalledthemtohim,andsaithuntothem,Yeknowthatthey whichareaccountedtoruleovertheGentilesexerciselordshipoverthem andtheirgreatonesexerciseauthorityuponthem.Butsoshallitnotbe amongyou:butwhosoeverwillbegreatamongyou,shallbeyour minister:Andwhosoeverofyouwillbethechiefest,shallbeservantof all.ForeventheSonofmancamenottobeministeredunto,butto minister,andtogivehislifearansomformany(Mark10:4245).<p> Withrespecttothefirstprinciple,LeonardE.ReadoftheFoundationforEconomic Educationusedtosay,"When Imonthegolfcourse,peopledontcomeuptomefor advice.TheyprefertoaskArnoldPalmer."YetReadhadhithalfadozenholesinonein hiscareer.Hekeptatit,alwaystryingtoimprovehisgame.Readspointwassimple: selfimprovementisthekeytoleadership.Readhadnevergonetocollege,yet,through FEE,whichhebeganin1946,healmostsinglehandedlycreatedthelibertarian movement.Heevenwroteitsoriginalhowtomanual,ElementsofLibertarian Leadership,whichisinfactaselfimprovementmanual.<p> ThesetwobooksaretheonesIwoulduseinanyclassorseminaronleadership.Thethird wouldbeFrankMeyersTheMouldingofCommunists.<p> STICKTOYOURKNITTING<p>

Youcantbealeaderineveryarea.Youmustacknowledgetherealityofthedivisionof labor.Youmustspecialize.<p> Findoutwhatyoureallylovetodo,andconcentrateyoureffortsonthis.Pickthatareaof yourlifeinwhichyouwanttoexcelforalifetime.Thendevotetime,effort,andmoney tomasteringit.Thekeyismastery.Youmustbecomesoproficientthatpeoplewhoare interestedinthisareacometoyouwithoutyourhavingtoaskorrecruitanyonelike ArnoldPalmeronthegolfcourse.<p> Ifyouwilldevote5,000hourstoalmostanything,youwillbecomeanexpertifyouhave anyinnateabilityatall.Youwillbesogoodatitthatyoucandistinguishpoor performancefromgoodperformance,andunderstandhowtoavoidthepooranddeliver thegood.Ifwearetalkingabouta40hourweek,5,000hoursistwoandahalfyears.If youdevoteanhouraday,itwilltakeyou15years.Ifyoustartatage20,by35youwill beanexpert.Forsomethingthattakesanhouraday,thatsnottoolongtowait.<p> Thatswhystartingyoungissoimportant.Itleavesyoutimetoexerciseleadership.<p> Whathurtspeopleisthattheydontstickwithit.<p> Theyflitfrominteresttointerest.Theyloseinterest.<p> Theygetbored.Theyceasetoworkonselfimprovement.Itjustisntworthitanymore. Thisleadstothenextprinciple.<p> DONTGETBORED<p> JackLaLanne,the80somethingexpertinexercise,saysthatyoushoulddevote90 minutesadaytoexercise.Buthealsosaysthatyoushouldvaryyourroutine.Boredomis whatkeepspeoplefromcontinuing.Thekeytostickingtheprogramistoavoidgetting bored.<p> Ifyouareconstantlyworkingonselfimprovement,youshouldnotgetboredifthefield youhavechosenisworthpursuing.Thereisalwaysmoretolearn.Atsomepoint,you willbecomeateacher.Thatwillpressureyoutogetevenbetter.<p> OneofthetechniquesusedbytheCommunistswastogiveanewmemberastackof DailyWorkernewspapersandsendhimouttosellthem.Thissoldnewspapersand gainedincome,butitalsogotthenewmemberintotrouble.Hewouldbechallenged verballybyantiCommunists.Hewouldnotknowtheanswers.Thiswouldpressurehim totakeeveningseminarsonCommunisttheory.<p> TheBlackMuslims(NationofIslam)adoptedthistechniqueinthemid1960s.They wouldstationtheirpeopleatsupermarketsfrequentedbywhitesandblacks,andhave themsell MuhammedSpeaks.(Thetechniqueceasedtoworkinthe1970s.)<p>

Thatswhyitsimportanttoselectsomethingreallyworthdoingearlyinyourcareer.I decidedatage18whatmyareawouldbe:biblicaleconomics.Noonetaughtit.There wasnotextbook.Therewasbasicallynothing.Therewasnomoneyinit,either.So,I knewIwouldhavetodosomehardplowing,butIalsoknewthatIcouldbecomethe worldsexpertifIstuckwithitlongenough,becausetherewasnooneelsedoingit.AsI havesaidforyears,Inowhaveamonopoly.Unfortunately,demandisstilllow.<p> Ihavenevergottenboredwiththeproject.Iplantodevoteatleastanotherdecadein doingtheresearch,andthenwriteanAdamSmithsizedbookonit.TheWebhasarrived, andalsopublishingondemandtechnology,soitsaloteasiertowriteabookandgetit publishedthanwhenIstartedtheprojectin1960.<p> Youcankeeppluggingawayifyoudontgetbored.Thatswhypickingtherighttopicor areaofserviceissoimportant.First,ithastobeworthdoing.Second,ithastooffera lifetimechallenge.Ifitlackseitherelement,youprobablywontstickwithit.<p> ITSHOULDBEWORTHDOINGFORFREE<p> Whenleadershipbringsapplause,fame,andachanceofmakingalotofmoney,the competitiongetsstiff.Therearealotofpeopletryingtoclimbtheirwaytothetop.Not manywillmakeit.Ofthosewhodo,notmanywillkeepthetopposition.InHollywood, thereareonlyafewJohnWaynes,HenryFondas,orJimmyStewartswhoholdthetop fordecades.AClintEastwoodshowsup,butnotoften.<p> Butifthereisnotmuchpublicapplauseorpositivesanctions,youcanstakeoutyour territoryandbecomeamajorplayer.Iftheareaisimportant,butinherentlyanonprofit activity,yourcompetitionwillbemostlyamateurs.Thisallowsadedicatedpersonto becomealeader.<p> Ifyouwantanexampleoftheconsummatemodernmasterofsuchservice,studythe careerofMotherTeresa.ShehelpedorphansinBangladesh.Withfulltimededication andamanualtypewriter,shequietlycreatedaninternationalserviceorganizationthat helpedtensofthousandsofpeople.IthinkitwasPeterDruckerwhosaidthatifany profitseekingbusinesswasequallylarge,thedirectorwouldrequireamultistory buildingandasupportstaff.SheranitfromBangladeshwithamanualtypewriter.She evenrepliedtomeinaletter.<p> Howdidshedoit?Bystickingwithit.Theprojectwasworthdoing.Nooneelsewas doingit.InaMuslimnation,aCatholicnunwasrespectedandevenloved.She performedacrucialserviceforwhichtherewasnomoneyinBangladeshtopay,soshe raisedmoneyfromtheWest.Shereceivedthanksbytheendofhercareeracclaimand famebeyondwhatmostfameseekerseverdreamof.Thatsbecauseshediditwithout anyintentionofseekingfame.<p> Idoubtseriouslythatsheevertookamanagementcourse.SheprobablyneverreadDale CarnegiesHowToWinFriendsandInfluencePeople.Ifshedid,shedidnottakeit

seriously.WhentheClintonsinvitedherin1994toappearwiththemattheNational PrayerBreakfast,shegaveatalkinwhichshementionedtheevilofabortion.<p> Shesawaneedandwentouttofillitasbestshecould.<p> Itisworthnotingthatherorganizationhasawaitinglistofvolunteerswhoarewillingto spendtheirlivesinselflessservice,whileotherliberalized,modernizedCatholicorders areshrinkingfromalackofreplacements.<p> DIGIN<p> TheaverageAmericanProtestantpastorstaysatonecongregationforabout5years.Then hemoveson.HeneverbuildsupwhattheCommunistscalledacadre.Themembers knowthathewillmoveonifheissuccessful,orifhegetsbored,orifheconfronts problemsthatdontgoawayrapidly.<p> Acongregationslayleadersdiginandwaitoutthepastor,whocomeandgo.Pastors findthat theyfaceroadblocksintheirministriesbecausethelaymenintheboardsknow thattheyholdthehammer,longterm.<p> Apastorwhosticksforadecadebeginstogethisway.Hewearsoutthelaymen.Ifthe pastorisbothpatientandprudent,hecanoutlasttheopponents.Hehasthepulpit.They dont.<p> Liberalsinthemainlinedenominationsfiguredthisoutoveracenturyago.Iftheycould gaincontrolthedenominationsnationalboards,whichwerefulltimepaidpositions, theycouldoutlastthelaymenandpastorsattheGeneralAssemblies.Whattheyforgot wasattrition.Whenoldmembersdied,theywerenotreplacedbyyoungmembers. Becausetheliberalsmadethechurchseemmoreliketheworld,outsidersfiguredthat theycouldkeeptheirtithesandofferingsforthemselves,andusetheirSundaymornings foramusement.Themainlinedenominationswoundupwithtoomanychiefsandnot enoughbraves:leaderswithadecliningnumberoffollowers.Butthistookacentury.The liberalsdugintheiropponentscameandwent.Theliberalshadalongtermplan.The conservativesdidnt.<p> Pickageographicallocationanddigin.Dontleave.Dontanswerthecallofmore moneyelsewhere.Becomeafixtureinthecommunity.Becomereliablepeoplewhoare calledon,yearafteryear,toshowupatmeetings.Mostpeoplewillnotshowup.Those whodowillwindupinthepositionsofleadership.WoodyAllenoncesaidthat80%of successisjustshowingup.Hewasright.<p> Afamiliarfaceisatrustedface.Aperson cangetawaywithalmostanythingifheisone ofthetownsgoodoldboys.Thesmallerthetown,thetruerthisis.AsHydesbook shows,apersonwhohasshownupforyearscanslowlymoveanorganizationinalmost anydirectionhechoosesunlessthereissomeoneelseontheothersidewhoisequally faithfulorganizationallyandequallyselfconscious.Thererarelyis.<p>

RESPONSIBILITYANDAUTHORITY<p> Foryears,Ihavetoldpeople,"Authorityflowstothosewhotakeresponsibility."<p> Mostpeopledonotwanttotakeresponsibility.Theyareriskaversive.Theywouldrather notsucceedthanriskfailinginpublic.Thepersonwhowantstoleadcantakeadvantage ofthispreferenceonthepartofmostpeople.<p> Acceptresponsibilitywherenooneelsewantsit.Alongwithresponsibilitycomes authority.Itisapackagedeal.<p> Apersonwhoiswillingtoaccepttheblameforfailure,butallowotherstogainthecredit foranysuccess,canruntheshowfrombehindthescenes.Theoldlineistrue:"Success hasmanyfathers.Failureinanorphan."Ifapersoniswillingtoclaimresponsibilityfor thefailure,hegetstomakepolicy.<p> Themanwho,morethananyoneelse,wasresponsiblefortheAmericanlibertarian movement,wasamasterofthisstrategy.Henevertookanycredit,butheextendedalot ofit.Hewrotethechecks.Hedidthisfordecades,invisibly.Hewouldfundaprojectfor threeyears.Ifitworked,theprojectsdirectorwouldgetallcredit.Ifitfailed,hewould fundanotherproject.Afterthemansdeath,hisnephewfollowedthesamepolicy.The nephewputuptheloanmoneyin1946toallowLeonardReadtostartFEE.Thefunds moneyalsofinancedLudwigvonMisesgraduatestudents.ItfundedMurrayRothbard whenRothbardcouldnotgetateachingjob.ItfundedF.A.Harper,whousedthefunds moneytopublishRothbardsmasterpiece,Man,Economy,andState (1962).Inherlater years,itfundedLauraIngallsWildersdaughter,RoseWilderLane,whowasadedicated libertarian.Itfundedmeinthecrucialsummeraftermygraduationfromcollege.Ifyou weretotracebacktheconservative/libertarianmovementbeforetheHissChamberscase in1948,mostroadsleadtohischeckbook.Butnobodyeverfollowsthemoney.<p> Heavoidedpublicitylikeaplague.Forfourdecades,hewasoneofthemostinfluential privatecitizensinKansasCity,Missouri.Yetyouhaveneverheardofhim.Hisname wasWilliamVolker.ThecivicleadersinKansasCityhadnoawarenessofhisworkin libertarianism.Thelibertarianshadnoawarenessofhimatall.<p> http://www.kclibrary.org/sc/bio/volker.htm<p> Thereisabiographyofhimtitled,appropriately,Mr.Anonymous.Almostnoonehas everreadit,whichwouldhavepleasedhim.IfyoureadanyhistoryofAmerican conservatism,therewillbenoreferencetotheworkoftheVolkerFund.That,too,would havepleasedhim.(TheFundspapersareintheHooverInstitution,whichreceivedthe distributionoftheFundsassetsaquartercenturyago.TheFundsstorywouldmakea veryusefuldoctoraldissertation,arareitemindeed.)<p> CONCLUSION<p>

Icallmystrategythedogcatcherstrategy.Youhaveheadthephrase,"Iwouldntelect himfordogcatcher."So,runagainsthim.Startatthebottom.Scrubthetoilets.Dothe workthatnobodyelsewantsuntilthesystemdependsonyou.Keeplearning.Keep improvingyourself.Sticktoyourknitting.<p> ________________________________________________________________________

TheGovernmentIsFree! (AfterTaxFreedomDay)<p>
byStevenYates<p> MichaelGartneristhesortofjournalistboundtoreceiveaccoladesandapplausewithin todaysdominantmedia. Thatistosay,notonlydohisviewsexemplifyunquestioned andunqualifiedstatism,buttheveryhintofquestioningstatismorsettinglimitsonthe powersofthecentralgovernment,say,onitspowertotaxitscitizens,bringsforthnota thoughtout,carefullyarguedresponsebutatorrentofridicule. <p> TakeforexamplehiscolumnintheApril23USAToday. Gartnerobservesthattoday someAmericansarecelebratingTaxFreedomDay thedayweallstopworkingto supportgovernmentandstartworkingtosupportourselves. Gartnerinvertsthisby tellingusthatasoftoday,Thegovernmentisfree! Whatevercanthismean? Illlet himexplainit: Fortherestoftheyear,youpaynothingforpoliceprotection. Youpay nothingforthemilitary. YoupaynothingforMedicareorMedicaid. Youpaynothingto keepourriversnavigable,ourairpathsclear,ourhighwayspatched. Youpaynothingto keepourcourtsopen,ourcampgroundssafe,ourwaterclean. Youpaynothingtohouse thepoororfeedthehungryorclothetheneedy. Youpaynothingtofinanceourwarson cancerorpovertyorterrorism. Youpaynothingtofinancegovernmentlocalorstateor federal. <p> ThisisGartnersrepresentationofTaxFreedomDay. Weare,ofcourse,supposedto finditridiculous. Butnomoreridiculousthanthereverse,whichistosaythatuntil Saturdayeverypennyyouearnedthisyearhasgonetopaytaxes.<p> Whatfollowsisacontinuationofallthegoodgovernmentsupposedlydoesevenafter TaxFreedomDay.AccordingtoGartner,weareactuallygettingabargain: themillions ofmilesofroadsandstreetsgovernments(federal,stateandlocal)maintain,themillions spentinmedicalbenefits,themillionsspentonthepoor,thebillionsspentonjob training,themillionsspentonSocialSecurity,andsoon. Inlightofthis,Gartner wonderswhyanyonewouldhavecausetocomplainaboutyieldingonethirdofour incometogovernment. WhyisntitTaxBargainDay?heconcludeswiththe rhetoricalflourishofonewhoclearlybelieveshehasdispatchedanopponentunworthy ofhisjournalisticprowess. <p>

PerhapsonereasonisthebeliefatleastsomeAmericansstill haveintheirinherentright tokeepanddispensewiththeirearningsasoneseesfit,withoutreportingeverypennyto agovernmentagencythathadnohandinproducingthewealththatactuallymakesthe economyflourish. PerhapsGartnerbelieves,alongwithallotherstatists,thatindividuals andtheirearningsbothbelongtogovernment,todispensewithaspoliticiansand bureaucratsseefit. Accordingtostatists,afterall,politiciansandbureaucratsknow betterhowtospendtheindividualsmoney thantheindividualhimselfdoes. DoIown mylife,ordoIbelongtotheState?isunasked,therefore,butcertainlyanswered. <p> Theuseof phrasesliketaxburdenbyconservativesissupposedtoberidiculous,inlight ofallthis,asarethecallsfortaxreform.(Lordonlyknowswhatkindofverbal apoplecticfitGartnerwouldserveupagainstanyonesuggestingtaxelimination or againstthosewonderingiftheIRSisevenaConstitutionallylegitimateagency!)<p> Gartnersscreedillustratesapointmanyofusalreadyknew: onedoesnothavetohave eventhemostrudimentarygraspofeconomicstobearespectedjournalistintodays America. (Infact,agraspofsoundeconomicprinciplesismorelikelytoholdyouback intodaysnewsroomandeditorialenvironment.) This,ofcourse,leadstowhatis missingfromGartnersstance: theveryideathatanyoneotherthangovernmentis suitabletofulfillthetaskslisted. Thisis,indeed,Gartnersstance,thatwithoutthe heavy,interveninghandofgovernment,foodwouldbeinedible,waterwouldbetoodirty todrink,planeswouldfalloutofthesky,ourhomesandworkplaceswouldbeunsafe, ourstreetsandroadswoulddisintegrate,ourelderlyneglected,oursickuntreated,our childrenunschooled,etc.,etc.,adnauseam. <p> IfGartneractuallyhadanygraspofeconomicreality,hewouldrealizethatthisisa losingproposition,andthathisbargainisoneofthegreatillusionsofourtime.<p> Forifwelookatcertainoftheendeavorsonlygovernmentissupposedtobeabletodo, wefinditisdoingthempoorly,andtheremaywellbevalidreasonsforthinkingthe privateornonprofitsectorscandothembetter. Forexample,manyofthestreetsand roadsitsupposedlymaintainsareinshambles. Thisisminorleaguestuff,however. After911,federalpowertookaquantumleap. Thenewreigningdogmabecamethat onlythefederalgovernmentcouldrunairportsecurity. Peoplecontinuetogetweapons throughthecheckpointsstaffedbyilliterateswhoaresearching80yearoldgranniesand confiscatingnailclippersfrombespectacledcomputernerds. Thissortofthinghasdone incalculabledamagetotheairlineindustry. Manypeoplearesimply refusingtoflyif theycandrivenotbecausetheyfearmoreterrorismbutbecausetheydontwanttoput upwithproceduresthatinalllikelihoodwouldnthavestopped911. <p> Andthentherearethoseactivitiesthatarguablythefederalgovernmentshouldntbe doingatall. SocialSecurityisnowthemostlongstandingcoercivefederalprogramfor redistributingwealthinU.S.history. Couldntitspurposesbefarbetterservedby allowingmoreindividualstokeepthefruitsoftheirlaborsandplacepartofthemin privateIRAsorsimilarinterestdrawingaccounts? Afterall,manyofusunder50have

paiddearlyintoititisntasifwehadachoice! andareunconvinceditisstillgoingto betherewhenwegetolder. <p> Orconsidertheplightofthepoorandtheimpoverished,aboutwhichcollectivistssuchas Gartnerprofesssuchgreatconcern. Withouttheheavyhandofthewelfarestateandthe dependencyithascreatedoverseveraldecades,perhapstherewouldntbesomuch poverty. Therewouldbemoreincentivestowork andmoregoodpayingjobs. Itisa cinchthatifwelfarehandoutsareavailable,therearepeoplewhowillhavetheirhands out. Moreover,withoutthefamilydestroyingtendenciesofradicalfeminism,easy divorce,bothparentshavingtoworktopaytheirexpensesaftertaxes,probablymore familieswouldhavestucktogetheroverthepasthalfcentury,andthosethathavestuck togetherwouldbesomewhatlessdysfunctional. Therewouldbefewerneglectedelderly, andfewerneglectedlatchkeychildren. <p> Inthelastanalysis,wesuffereconomicwoesbecausegovernment(andtheFederal Reserve)laborundertheillusionthattheeconomycanbemicromanagedfromacentral point. Ifthisideawereabandoned,theeconomywouldbegintoflourishasneverbefore. Forifbusinessesbothsmallandlargewerenotalsobeingtaxedtothecleaners,perhaps theirownerswouldbeinabetterpositionandhaveabetterincentivetocreatemoreand betterjobs. Priceswouldbelower,becausetherewouldbefewertaxespassedonto consumers. Thiswouldmeanmoresales,greaterprofitsforthecompanies,more expansionandstillmorejobs. Entrepreneurscouldthrivewithoutfearoftheheavyhand oftheIRS. Allthesefactors,andmorebesides,wouldresultinfewerpoor. Notto mentionmorefreedomforeveryone,rich,middleclassorpoor. <p> Finally,considerthemilitaryspendingthatGartnertrumpets. Onereasonthefederal governmentspendssomuchonthemilitaryistheneedbyourglobalmindedelitesto policeasmuchoftherestoftheworldaspossible,whetherinthenameofthewaron terrorism,oil,simplybecausetheeliteslikepower,or(whatismostlikely)allofthe above. <p> Statists,ofcourse,takenotjustthenecessitybutthefundamentalbenevolenceofhuge, expansivegovernmentforgranted,andwearesupposedtofindcontraryviewsridiculous worthyonlyoftheMenckenesquehorselaugh. TherealhowlerinGartners commentary,however,isthisstatement: [Government]spends$360billionayearon educating47millionyoungstersinpublicelementaryandsecondaryschools. Countless observersandcommentatorshaveshownthatgovernmentschoolsareabysmalfailures, andcontinuetofaildespiteonequickfixafteranother. Thereisabundantandgrowing evidencethathomeschooledchildrenandyouthareoutpacingtheirgovernmentschooled counterpartsineverysubject,includingthemereabilitytothink. Thislattershouldbeno surprise. Governmentschoolsdonotteachthinkingbutroteconformity thefruitsof progressivism,outcomebasededucation,andotherfadsofthesortthatonlystate worshippersarecapableofproducing. Now,withschooltoworkprogramseverywhere, avocationalismaimedatproducinghumanworkerbeesisquietlyburyingthesortof traditionaleducationthatonceproducedcitizens.<p>

Itiscompletelybeyondstatiststhatifgovernmentatalllevelswereoutoftheeducation businessaltogether,theresultmightbenotjustcitizenswhoareemployablebutcitizens whoareemployable,literateandindependentminded. Citizenscapableofevaluatingfor themselvestheroletheywishgovernmenttoplayintheirlives,thatis,whichmaybe verylittleornoneatall. <p> Ontheotherhand,maybetheMichaelGartnersoftheworldofcontemporaryjournalism dorealizethis,anditscaresthedickensoutofthemonasubliminallevel. Afterall,they mustknowthatmanyofusaregettingnearlyallournationalandinternationalnewsfrom theInternet,nottheprinteditionsof NewYorkTimesor USAToday. Theymustknowon somelevelthatChristianhomeschoolingisnowthefastestgrowingindependent educationalmovementinthecountry. Theymustknowthatwewouldbelaughingatthe Ionescocomedyanticsofairportsecuritypersonnel exceptthatthedestructionofour libertiesisnotfunny. Theymustknowthatsomeofushaveverygravedoubtsabout Bushswar,aswewonderwhypeoplearestilldyinginAfghanistaneventhoughBush declaredvictorymonthsago. <p> Onemay,finally,askwheretheU.S.ConstitutionauthorizestheactivitiesGartnerlists. Gartner,ofcourse,nevermentionstheConstitution. (Surprise,surprise!) Butheis hardlyaloneonthatscore. TherearenomentionsoftheConstitutioninanyrecent eulogiestolarge,expansivegovernmentwrittenbymajorjournaliststoday,oranysign thatmajorjournalistshaveevenreadit. Intodaysdominantmediaculturewherestatists rulesupremewhichincludesnearlyeverymajoroutlet theConstitutionisadead duck. Unless,ofcourse,someupstartquestionstheirrighttospreaddisinformationand untruthstothepublic,whetherthesubjectistheeconomy,governmentschools,orthe waronterrorism. Thentheygoscamperingunderthesecurityblanketsupposedly providedbytheFirstAmendment.<p> StevenYatesisaMargaret"Peg"RowleyFellowattheLudwigvonMisesInstitute, whereheiswritingabookentitled TheParadoxofLiberty.HehasaPhDinphilosophy, andistheauthorofCivilWrongs:WhatWentWrongWithAffirmativeAction(ICS Press,1994),anddozensofarticlesinbothacademicandnonacademicperiodicals.He hasrelocatedtoAuburn,Alabama.<p> _______________________________________________________________________

Abureaucratisthemostdespicableofmen,thoughheisneededasvulturesare needed,butonehardlyadmiresvultureswhombureaucratssostrangelyresemble. Ihaveyettomeetabureaucratwhowasnotpetty,dull,almostwitless,craftyor stupid,anoppressororathief,aholderoflittleauthorityinwhichhedelights,as aboydelightsinpossessingaviciousdog.Whocantrustsuchcreatures? ~Cicero ____________________________________________________________

Pr op ag andas Fools<p>
by KarenDeCoster<p> Statismparadesitselfinvariousforms.Mostnoticeably,itputsachokeholdon individualsthroughitsprogressivetaxationpolicies,microlawmaking,andultra regulationofeverydaylives.Yetoneofthemostcreepingwaysinwhichstatismaffects usdirectlyisintheformofitspropaganda.<p> Everyactofstatepropagandarequiresacausetomakeitnecessary.Thatcauseneedsa catchythemethatconveyshowoneshouldthinkaboutit.Aswithpoliticalpolls,the simplifiedpurposeofpropagandaistotelluswhattothink.Eachcause,therefore, requiresacrisisoraperceivedcrisisinorderforthemassestomorereadilyaccept thesymbolismdisseminatedinthenameofthatcause.Andwithcrisis,fearmaybea factor.Andcurrently,inthemidstofsuchdisquietinggeopoliticalvolatility,whatcould bemorefearprovokingthanthecrisisofwar?<p> Forinstance,thenewpatriotismthatissweepingthenationisunyieldinginitsgripon Americansanxioustoshowtheirloveofcountry.Terrorismathomeandthelooming threatofwarwithinsurrectionaryjihadmakersbegetsamassiveanxiety.Andfear,asa rule,tendstobeassuagedviaasenseofcomingtogether.Fromthemassproduced"God BlessAmerica"signstoproUSATshirtsandlapelpinsandhats,folksaresnappingup thismerchandiselikemad.Theydosobecausetheyaretoldthatsuchactionshelpto overcomeadversityandservetosupporttheaffected.Andthestateishighlysuccessful inpromotingsuchthoughts.However,allthesymbolismprovestobepointlessrahrah thatintendssupportforthegovernmentsactions,whethertheyareactuallysanctionedby theelectorateornot. <p> Nowadays,the"patriotic"lipservicepromotedbytheStateiseerilyreminiscentofthat duringWorldWarsIandII,whentheWilsonandFDRadministrationsandtheirassorted governmententitiesgaverisetoatideofmindnumbingpostersmeanttoinstillasense ofdutyamongcitizensdevastatedbywar.WWIIpropagandaisperhapsmorecompelling becauseofitsultimategoalinpromotingoutrightsocialismandthebuildingofforeign alliancesabroad. <p> ThehorriblestatismsymbolizedbyWWIIeraposterssometimesharpedonfeelgood themesofdoingonespartandbeinguseful,ortheymayhaveevenexploitedfearby

inflatingcrisesandthreatening impendingdisaster.Thefeelgood propaganda,inparticular,played uponthenaturalinclination peoplehavetowardparticipation andaccomplishment,andit boastedofindividualsplaying theirproperrole inthewareffortthoserolesfor participantsbeingthatofconservingrubber,lumber,petroleum,paper,foodandother itemsthataretypicallyinhighdemandduringtimesofwar.Asmilinghousewife boastingaboutherfamilysfoodrationingwasintendedtoprovokeageneral submissivenessonthepart offamiliestowardgovernmentdiktat.Andconservingones tiresorlumberwasawayofhavingahandinhelpingtoprovidesuppliesfortheboys overseas.Allthewhile,thecitizenrywasunknowinglymockedintosurrenderoftheir individualityandfamilyfirstguidingprinciples.Immediately,onecanunderstandhowa moveawayfromsuchdocilitycouldsparkarisingindependenceinsocietythatmightno longermandateagovernmentsfullblownwar.<p> Othergoodbehaviorincludedabidingbypricecontrolsandbelievingintheultimate valueofsuch,andcertainly,avoidingblackmarketstoserveonesdailyneeds.Agood Americanwouldrather"dowithoutit"wasthemessage.AndtheofficesofWar Information,PriceAdministration,andWarFoodAdministrationwereadeptat conveyingthatmeaning.<p> Anotherformofefficacywasportrayedintheformofconstantproduction,withhard workbeingthemeanstotheendofwinningthewar.Afterall,whocouldpossiblybe againstagoodworkethic?Increasedproductioncalledforwomentosacrificedomestic blissforthesakeofhermenandcountry.Andnonwarboundmenweremadetosense thattheycouldntworkhardenoughtoovercomethelackofadraftcardandmilitary uniform.AndthemostoutlandishStatepropagandaalwaysassuredthatthosenot meetingthedemandsofthedaywere,infact,workingfortheenemy.<p> Thentherewascrisisanddisaster.Thiswasalwaysportrayedinthesenseof"youcando somethingtopreventit."Thisthemepreyedonthenaturalhumaninstincttodoallthat onecouldinordertostaveoffcalamity.Looselipssinkships,weweretold,and blabbermouthsultimatelykilledmendirectly.Andofcourse,theultimatecatastrophe wasforeviltoencroachuponAmericanshoresandstrikeusrighthereathome.WWII propagandapostersareperhapsmostmemorableinthissensebecauseoftheavailability ofpopculturevillainsfromwhichtodrawmotivation.Mussolini,Stalin,andespecially Hitlerprovidedaheapoffodderforthestatists.<p> In1942,theWarProductionBoardreleasedaseriesofpostersthatdepicthowHitlerwas everywhere.Accordingtothepropagandacretinshewasinourneighborhoodsifwe didntsupportthewarandinourcarifwedidntcarpool.Afterall,intimesofsuch profoundsufferinganddespair,therehadtobeendsthatindividualsandfamiliescould

strivefortojustifythemeans. TheevilimagesofaHitlergone madinourpersonalspaces conveyedthemostdeliberate messagesofall.<p> BecausethiscrisisofHitlerin ourhomeswasportrayed asbonafide,Americanwomen wereoftenrepresentedaswillinglygivingtheirmentotheStatetodieforitswar.After all,withoutthepropagandaofencroachinghorrortoengenderabsolutefearintoa nation ofpeacelovingpeople,theStatecouldnotpossiblyexpecttobeabletoclutchlovedones fromthehomeandtossthemintoharmsway.Withoutthisultimategoalfromwhichto conveythenecessityoftheultimatesacrifice,awarmakingStatewouldhavefew subjectsfromwhichtogarnerenoughsupportforongoingwar.Imaginetheaverage AmericanbeingaskedtodieforChurchill,ortoservethepurposeofU.S.imperialist adventurespromotingpuppetgovernmentsabroad? <p> Hence,thenotionofsacrificewasperhapsthemostcompellingofallduringthistime becauseofthecorollarythatwaspresentedasthealternative:thesquashingoftheentire nationbyitsglobalenemies.Therefore,thelifeofonemanwithintheambitofagigantic wholewasdevoidofanyparallelworth.FDRsocialismwashardatwork. Andinalesscompellingsense,familiesweretosacrificetheirvacationsandsave resourcesforthegreatercause.Stayinghomewassaidtobebeneficialtowardthewar effort.Infact,itwasagreatwaytocontributebysimplydoingnothing.Anoxymoron, butpatrioticnonetheless.Inaddition,peoplewereconvincedtosacrificelaissezfaire commutingplansforcarpools.Individualitywasentirelyeschewedinfavorofcollective ambitions,asisalwaysthecasewithintheframeworkofstatism.<p> Andlastly,perhapsthemostcommontypeofWWIIpropagandaaboundingwasthat pushingwarbonds.Ofcourse,financingawarpresentedmorethanjustconventional moneyraisingproblemsitalsomeantthatgovernmentfirstneededtoacquireagainful approvalratingfromanalreadyovertaxedpublicforspendingthepopulaceinto furtherdebt.Onceagain,peoplewereinstructedhowtobehaveviapostersproducedby, typically,theUnitedStatesTreasuryortheWarFinanceDivision.Purchasingbonds meantdirectlysupportingthehusbandsandsonsoverseas,andspendingtenpercentof onesweeklypaycheckwasaminimumcriterioninordertomeetthestandardsof sufficientpatriotism.<p> Allinall,WWIIsuccessfullymarketeditspersuasionuponawillingAmericanaudience justwaitingtobecoercedintothinkingsomething,believinganything,andmerely followingtheHeadPersuader.<p>

However,thepropagandistsmustalwaysfirstbuilda reputationandcredibility,eveniftheymerelyfeignit asopposedtoactuallypossessingit.Afterall, persuasionisoneofthekeystothedemocratic process,hence,therevulsionthatsomeofushaveto "democracy"andgoverningbythepoliticized masses.<p> Interestingly,Aristotlenotedthatpropaganda(or persuasion)wastobeonlyusedbythoseofgoodcharacterorgoodmoralstanding, otherwise,itceasedtobetrustworthyortohavecredibility.Modernpropagandaas practicedbytheStategainsits"credibility"because,asaprecursortoitspersuasion tactics,theStatehas throughitsCradletoGraverolealreadyexercisedaseemingly legitimateformofruleinthattheyarethefinalarbiterofallthatissignificant,fromtaxes tothemilitary tomonopolizedgoodsandservices.Therefore,thepreconditionshave beensetforamassivecampaignoftellingpeoplehowtothink,act,andcarryouttheir dailytasks.<p> BeawarethatthepreWWIIerawasatimeofisolationistimpulseatimewhen anentire generationhadalreadyexperiencedworldwar,andafterwards,onlydesiredtostayhome andtendtotheirdomesticlivesinsteadofbeingdraggedoffintoanotherseriesofforeign entanglements.Inspiteofthis,FDRsvariousagenciesprovedmasterfulintheir endeavortoshifttheopinionsofanentirenationfromcovetingpeacetosupportingwar. <p> Forwar,itseems,hadbecamethenormforthemaintenanceofahealthyandgrowing State,andhence,thesamepropagandalivesontodayinasimilarlyeffectiverole.On balance,shouldntweallpulltogethertopropupourgovernmentswars?<p>