Older folk are full of truisms because after one lives long enough there is sufficient evidence to prove the truism “true”. At an early age, without the resource of experience, it is often impossible to fathom why older people say what they do. The better part of wisdom should tell you that somewhere in their truism is a kernel of truth that is of value.

• Ignorance is bliss.
• When you lay with dogs you get fleas.
• Even a hawk is an eagle among crows.
• There’s no free lunch.
• Democracy is two wolves and a sheep about to vote for supper.

     Ignorance of the facts is just that, ignorance. But once one learns the facts then ignorance becomes stupidity when facts are ignored. After all, you are the enforcer of your own ignorance.

     Let us examine some truisms for that kernel of truth. First, let me state, that contrary to what some of your professors may have said, there is truth; and truth has a glorious satisfaction that edifies. The abolition of truth is simply an extension of the humanist dogma that denies God. For without God there is no measure of right and wrong.

     Have you ever felt empty inside? Have you ever wondered what this crazy world is all about? If you have then you have experienced that void in your heart that longs to be filled. Many people focus attention on drugs, sex, money, things, work or entertainment to satisfy that void. In the end they’re still longing for something yet more of the same is never enough. So, why is ignorance bliss? Ignorance is bliss because truth has a profound impact upon the one seeking it. Once you have discovered a truth your natural inclination is to share it with others. Often your sharing is not welcome.

     Have you noticed that the things others say to you or about you soon become thoughts that you continually dwell upon. You’re stupid, fat, dumb, ugly, beautiful, useless & etc. Continually repeating these ideas in your mind gives you an ability to believe the idea as true. It may not be but you have convinced yourself otherwise. This can either raise or lower your attitude about yourself and either course can be unfortunate. Mangy undomesticated dogs generally carry fleas. If you do not wish to be flea-bitten then don’t hang around with them. In other words, choose your friends and associates carefully and when statements are made, consider the source.

     When we were ten years old the thirteen-year old was something because he was a teenager. When we were thirteen the sixteen-year old was something because he could drive. When we were sixteen the twenty-one year old was something because he was legal and could buy adult beverages. When we were twenty one the person who was thirty and had more experience received more respect. If all you’ve ever eaten is rice and fish heads then a hamburger and fries is a banquet. Thus, even a hawk is an eagle among crows.

     Because you are fed, clothed and housed does not mean that those provisions are free. Somebody had to work a job in order to earn income in order to provide those things for you. If you receive a government check for those provisions, others whom you do not know were taxed upon their labor and the fruits of their labor so that you might receive your check.

     A retail business moves inventory in order to generate profit which is necessary in order to meet an employee payroll and assorted overhead costs (rent, mortgage, insurance, utilities, maintenance, supplies, taxes & etc.). The loss of inventory by theft is called shrinkage. Some retail companies deal with shrinkage by adding anywhere from 10 to 70 percent to the cost of the item to compensate for their known theft experience. When you purchase an item from one of those retailers you are subsidizing the thief who received his item at no financial cost.

     Government may mandate lower interest from banks for student loans. That’s fine, except banks will simply add additional interest to other loans in order to make up the loss. Thus, others whom you’ve never met, subsidize you student loans.

     Most modern academics will tell you that profit is a dirty word. Profit is a necessary element within a society from which those who profit are able to meet their obligations and reinvest while providing taxes* to multilayers of government. Free enterprise is not evil; it is necessary for a well ordered society. What is evil is greed; and virtue in a culture will stifle the efforts of those who would exercise it.

     So, the fact that your parents provide for you, the government subsidizes you student loans or that you are able to pilfer merchandise from a retailer, does not necessarily mean that there are things free for the taking in all of life. There is no free lunch. Additionally an ancillary axiom is, “There is a pay day someday.”

     Our Republic was founded by Christian men who desired God’s liberty, which incidentally, is freedom to choose between right and wrong. They put into place a constitution designed to be executed by fellow men such as themselves; honest men of virtue. George Washington referred to democracy as mobocracy, why?

     Our constitution was written and republic designed to be administered, overseen and checked by productive taxpayers. Only those owning land or producing revenue possessed the franchise to vote. And only those owning land or producing revenue were capable of the sacrifice of serving public office. Many early office-holders lost income to serve. It was at one time in our history, a noble duty. With regards to honesty and virtue, founder Samuel Adams said, “A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberty of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but once they lose their virtue then will they be ready to surrender their liberty to the first external or internal invader.” Then Benjamin Franklin remarked when asked about the nature of the new government, “We have given you a republic if you can keep it.”

     Speaking of democracy founder John Adams said, “Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man’s life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure.” And to that add founder James Madison, “Democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths.” Finally, British jurist Lord Woodhouselee stated, “A Democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury… A democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy, always followed by a dictatorship.” The two wolves will vote to have the sheep for supper and that will end their democracy.

     Does providing the voting franchise to unproductive people further our national establishment? Do those who have spent three, four or five generations on welfare really have a vested interest in our country’s future? Do people from third world hell-holes with no concept of the responsibilities of liberty, who cannot speak our language, and who may be criminals as they are here illegally, really deserve a say in how our affairs are conducted? Should we seriously trust avowed enemies of our way of life to do what is in our best interest? I say not! But before I become tarred with angry adjectives let me quote a wise man in my defense, “Love of kin is not hate and self preservation is not prejudice.”

     So you see there is truth in old truisms. It is said that “History is not dead to the man who would learn how the present came to be what it is.” So, if you’re lost and don’t know that you’re lost what do you do? If you believe that ignorance is bliss, do nothing. If you are not bothered by all the nagging fleas, do nothing. If you admire the little people because they cast long shadows as the sun sets, do nothing. If you enjoy theft from those whom you’ve never met, do nothing. But if you don’t want to be eaten by the wolves, learn some truth for future survival. After all, the man who does not read is no better off than the man who cannot read!

– Rex Miller 11/6/12

* taxes: Have you noticed the taxes on a simple phone bill? Utility companies are State regulated but there are a multitude of taxes built into the bill. Those who rent to business pay taxes which are reflected in the amount they must charge for rent. Supply and Maintenance companies pay the same myriad of taxes which must be reflected in the prices they charge for their products and services. Banks and Insurance companies pay a similar number of taxes, thus their retail prices reflect that. And all companies who employ people must pay an employee tax plus a State and Federal Unemployment tax plus who knows what other tax is embedded depending on the locality. All of this must result in the ultimate retail price the consumer pays for a product. So you see, corporations and businesses do write checks for taxes but it is the individual who ultimately pays the bill.