Of, By, and For

This explains the fatally grievous condition of mankind. Ignorance surrounds its cradle: then its actions are determined by their first consequences, the only ones which, in its first stage, it can see. It is only in the long run that it learns to take account of the others. It has to learn this lesson from two very different masters - experience and foresight. Experience teaches effectually, but brutally. It makes us acquainted with all the effects of an action, by causing us to feel them; and we cannot fail to finish by knowing that fire burns, if we have burned ourselves. For this rough teacher, I should like, if possible, to substitute a more gentle one. I mean Foresight. For this purpose I shall examine the consequences of certain economical phenomena, by placing in opposition to each other those which are seen, and those which are not seen.- Frederic Bastiat, That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen, 1850.

It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. - Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, 1863.

The 47% have chosen: Government of, by, and for the uninformed. The focus of the rest of us must now turn to minimizing the impact of this folly on our own lives. This means:

1. Downsizing our US footprint, to minimize the resources exposed to higher taxes and degraded currency.
2. Take care of our own health, because the health care provider exodus begins shortly.
3. Prepare for "the strike", as producers from Hostess to Westinghouse close up shop.
4. Set aside some land. Learn to grow your own food. Take measures to protect it from man and beast.
5. Prepare for a better education for your children. Hasten the end of public education as we know it.