Difference Between Feeling Safe and Being Safe
One of the biggest misconceptions that the population at large has is that the federal government makes us safe. The reality is that their main role is to make us feel safe, but they do very little to keep us safe. It is very important to be continually aware of this tactic in order to avoid being lulled into a sense of false security, despite the temptation to feel otherwise.
Zika Virus
One of the biggest threats that we will face in 2016 comes from the Zika virus. How the government has handled the rapid expansion of the virus from Latin America into the Southern United States has been abysmal. It took more than a year for the feds to confirm that the virus is indeed harmful to pregnant women and can be transmitted from person to person. It also took them months to admit that its spread in the United States is almost a foregone conclusion.
This happened despite the fact that the CDC insisted that the only thing to worry about was pregnant women traveling to hot-zones in Latin America. Now the feds are telling states that they need to be vigilant and take steps to contain mosquitoes, report infections and provide appropriate treatment because mosquitoes themselves are bringing the virus to North America. Consequently, instead of dealing with the threat head-on, the feds have passed the buck to states, and they are essentially telling them to handle the situation on their own.
Typical Response
We’ve seen this pattern time and time again. After 9/11, the feds started screening passengers at security checkpoints at airports to make us feel safe. However, they placed the burden on states and communities to develop their own security and counter-terrorism programs. The appearance of safety was only for show, and the real responsibility for protecting the public was passed on to entities that had little experience and almost no resources to tackle the problem.
The same could be said of the Patriot Act and how Congress welcomed the erosion of our civil rights for the sake of safety and security. We felt safe, but we really weren’t any more secure than before. The only difference is that now the government can monitor and track anyone they want for almost any reason.
Illusion of Safety
Government agencies like to tell us that regulations exist for our safety. They keep the air and water clean. They protect consumers, motorists, travelers and medical patients from harm. The reality is that very few of these regulations actually help people. Look at the list of side-effects on most medications or listen to the disclaimers on pharmaceutical ads. Think of all of the chemicals we ingest on a daily basis, or how millions of defective vehicles on the road go unchecked for years. The reality is that very little that the government does translates into a safer population and better way of life. In fact, the opposite is true more often than not.
Always remember that the presence of agencies and the enacting of regulations are there to give us the illusion of safety. Most people feel protected and think the government is looking out for us. This creates an atmosphere where people welcome more governmental intrusion into their daily lives, which is exactly what the government wants.
We are Living in Dangerous Times
We are facing threats from so many different sources, and they are coming at us simultaneously. We have the threat of terrorism, war, economic collapse and social unrest. Environmental change is wreaking havoc across the country and our food and water supplies are increasingly at risk. All of this is happening because of foolish governmental policies, and the same folks are trying to tell us that everything is okay and things are under control. Do you believe them?
Look at your life and assess how much control you’ve willingly or unwittingly given to the government? How does this sit with you? Probably not so well. Good. Now, start to think of how you can break free and start to gain your independence. Remember, when the SHTF, and it will sooner or later, it’s on you to protect yourself and your family. Start preparing now so that you will be able to be more self-sufficient when that dark day comes.
