He's at it again!
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to defend his country against hostility from the U.S. after the totalitarian state said last week it will test a nuclear weapon. In fact, there is no hostile activity from the U.S. toward North Korea. In fact that we have offered assistance for the frequent famine in his country, but Mr. Kim roars in defiance against a non-existent threat. It is old-fashioned political theater!
In our country, A sheriff campaigned that he "would not allow Sharia law in my county!" Another sheriff announced that he would oppose the President's unconstitutional mandates. Later he admitted that he didn't know if there was any unconstitutional mandate actually issued. Ferocious statements about bravely fighting threats that are only straw men; that don't exist.
Bravely announcing that they are our champions against governmental tyranny, some politicians slay the straw men that don't exist. Over and over. Until some folks fearfully believe that they DO exist, and follow along.
Waving the flag and declaring patriotism don't guarantee the truth of what the speaker says. "Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel" is a piece of wisdom that goes back to the founding fathers. and Grandma's response is still appropriate: "pretty is as pretty does".
And what should we do personally in this mix? Ignore some of the rhetoric, and focus on taking care of local business. Help someone close at hand. Do something to make someone more cheerful. Spend some time as a volunteer to make your neighborhood more responsive to people who need you. Say less and do more.
And first of all, if the potential leader wants to lead by "fear" maybe it is a false fear that the speaker is stirring up. Demagogues and dictators rule by raising fear. And when the fear is a "straw man" that doesn't even exist, it is time to "tune out" that speaker, and make up your own mind.
Nothing builds a sense of freedom so securely as the moment of realizing what enthusiastic speaker to "tune out".
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