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Guest column: ‘For The Common Good’

Posted at 11:57 am April 9, 2013
By Mark DeVol 15 Comments

The progressive and socialist vision for the direction of this country is an ordered society where poverty is eliminated, and healthcare and pensions for life are provided by a central authority or government. The foundation for this structure is rooted in utopian theories that are based on the premise that in a free market society, people fear for basic necessities and lack the opportunities to obtain equality. Regrettably however, ordered societies have never proven viable…which we know is accurate because had they succeeded and flourish; we wouldn’t be having this discussion.

There are two significant reasons why ordered societies fail. The first is the central authority’s inability to accurately allocate and distribute scarce resources for the production of goods and services, which over time diminishes the methods of production that result in a reduced standard of living—the opposite of what was promised. Using the current administration policies regarding energy as an example, the central government declared solar and wind a priority over gas and oil production. Billions were redirected to solar and wind and nothing was produced, except a resulting consequence of increased gas and oil prices.

The second is the central authority’s gradual seizure of power over the individual, of which the individual willingly surrenders out of ignorance or fear. In ordered societies, civil order is required, and the elimination of guns and weapons is mandatory. The central government’s claims are always the same: “The public welfare requires it.” Just in this last decade alone, the resulting consequence of mandatory gun control has resulted in the murder of more than 170 million people by their own governments.

Tyranny was the basis for the founding of this country, and its Constitution (based on the rule of law) was to prevent the dictates of tyrants and governments. Further, the structuring of individual states and a decentralized national government was intended to account for the differences in people and society. Through states’ rights, each state is free to decide their direction.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard California’s case on gay marriage. The left-leaning state (multiple times through a democratic process) has made clear their intentions regarding the issue. However, the progressives and socialists do not care and are using the high court to advance their agenda. If there’s intolerance in this world, it rests with them. Their unilateral demand for conformity by all is the height of all arrogance.

If the residents of California or any other state wish to have redistributive taxation or guaranteed entitlement, then have at it. Just don’t ask other states to pay for it, or subsidize it…and, please don’t attempt to change the founding of our country—many of us (about half) like it the way it is

Filed Under: Guest Columns Tagged With: central authority, energy, government, guns, Mark DeVol, ordered societies, power, progressive, socialist, states, tyranny, vision

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Comments

  1. Mark Caldwell says

    April 9, 2013 at 2:28 pm

    I was sitting on my back porch in Oak Ridge this past Saturday and heard emergency vehicles racing to help someone.

    And I said to myself, “Thank God for socialism.”

    Reply
    • Charlie Jernigan says

      April 10, 2013 at 5:20 pm

      You guys are awfully fearful of a regularly elected government. Is that because you hold such a minority opinion that you’re afraid that your policies will never become mainstream?

      If it’s any consolation, that’s always been the case in a free society.

      Reply
      • Charlie Jernigan says

        April 10, 2013 at 6:47 pm

        That would be funny if you were real. But as it is, it is just pitiful.

        Who is John Galt? You certainly aren’t…

        Reply
      • Johnny Johnson says

        April 10, 2013 at 10:52 pm

        You don’t even live in Oak Ridge…….So why don’t you get on a Clinton or Oliver Springs website, I’m Marlow doesn’t though so you might be SOL………….LOL.

        Reply
  2. Anne Garcia Garland says

    April 9, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    Scarce resources? The only thing that has created scarcity in resources in the US is having a very few corporate “persons” grab up giant percentages for their own personal enrichment – and to heck with the people to whom they pay an increasingly non-living wage. The nation was supposed to be of, by, and for the people, not some of the people. Whatever is right for any subset should be right for all. If the government sanctions marriage for a man and a woman, then any couple should get the same sanction. Once this country favored keeping any “white” people from marrying anyone of “color,” too. The seizure of power which concerns me most is the seizure of control of elections by corporate money. Best government money can buy.

    Reply
    • Denny Phillips says

      April 9, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      “Whatever is right for any subset should be right for all”

      Except when it comes to property taxes, in which case some should pay while other large evil corporations should get abatements.

      Reply
      • Charlie Jernigan says

        April 10, 2013 at 9:40 am

        No, we have enough domestic violence with couples.

        Reply
      • Denny Phillips says

        April 10, 2013 at 4:18 pm

        I’ve pondered the same thing John. Why have any restraints on marriage if it is a “right”?

        Reply
        • Charlie Jernigan says

          April 10, 2013 at 5:16 pm

          Who said it is a right? The issue is equal protection under the law.

          You do know that there is a difference, don’t you??

          Reply
          • Charlie Jernigan says

            April 10, 2013 at 6:48 pm

            So who are you pretending to be now? John Galt or Denny?

          • Denny Phillips says

            April 10, 2013 at 7:24 pm

            Lol. Charlie you are chick full of conspiracy theory. I am not Galt, ask Huotori if you don’t believe me.

          • Denny Phillips says

            April 10, 2013 at 7:32 pm

            And Charlie, given the way you obsessively stalk my every comment on this site, I’m starting to think you might be a little sweet on me. Legal or not, I ain’t gonna marry you Chuckles.

          • Charlie Jernigan says

            April 10, 2013 at 11:57 pm

            I know you were talkin’ about marrying your dad or something. I couldn’t quite get your point. Can you clarify exactly what you’re pondering? Are you seeing a therapist or perhaps a religious counselor about this?

    • Mark Caldwell says

      April 10, 2013 at 10:49 am

      Thank you Anne. Good post.

      Reply
  3. Abbey says

    April 9, 2013 at 8:39 pm

    Well said, Mr. DeVol.

    Reply

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