A few nights ago I began reading Wizard’s First Rule, and I was amazed when I came to the passage where Zedd is explaining to Richard why people willing serve evil men.
“Because, Richard, many people must be ruled to thrive. In their selfishness and greed, they see free people as their oppressors. They wish to have a leader who will cut the taller plants so the sun will reach them. They think no plant should be allowed to grow taller than the shortest, and in that way give light to all. They would rather be provided a guiding light, regardless of the fuel, than light a candle themselves.” – Zeddicus Zu’l Zorander
It got me to thinking about the majority of people not just in this country, but around the world. I came to the conclusion that Zedd is right. Most people would rather have someone take care of them, than to do the work themselves. These people do free people as their oppressors. They do rail against the individual in favor of conformity. All this is done in the name of fairness, but is it fair to stunt the growth of those who aim a little higher and work a little harder to get where they want to be? I don’t think so.
This mentality has become a sickness across the world and it has seriously infected the United States. People are looking for the government to save them when they should be seeking out the means to save themselves. Benjamin Franklin said it best. “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” That is what most people in this country are now doing. They are giving up their freedom in exchange for the pretty promises of the government to make the hurting stop. Nothing is free, and the price tag for what the government is offering is too high.
Instead of railing against the darkness that threatens to engulf this country, we should all light a single candle. Use this candle on election night 2010 to change the course before it’s too late
