Thank you for returning to Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. Have you noticed the amount of fear racing through our nation at every turn? Of course, in the early days of our nation, Americans had fear but it was coupled with courage and rugged individualism. Now, when the prevailing cultural winds blow, they seem to send everyone into panic mode. You and I both know that we cannot think clearly in a state of panic. We must rely on what we know to be true, including the truth that we, in and of ourselves, are not sovereign and in control of all things. We do what we can and leave the rest to God. That’s what citizens did in the early years of our founding.
Our first article today discusses The Tyranny Principle. My hope is that this information is helpful as you process all that is going on in the world today and the fear that it generates. Also, our second article honors the legacy of The Greatest Generation. If it does not appear in weekly newsletter today, you can find it at my website: www.civicsandcitizenship.org under “Articles.” It is titled “Who Appreciates Their Citizenship the Most?”
The Tyranny Principle
Here is a citizenship principle that deserves our attention: “Tyranny plus obedience (to tyrannical people) equals more tyranny.” Two large-scale border situations in today’s world fall under this principle. Let’s talk about it.
I am not a foreign policy expert by any means, so let’s look at these situations from a civics education view.
First up is the Russia-Ukraine border. The hundreds of tanks and the rumored 175,000 troops amassed there make for a very concerning picture. The Russians say they mean no harm. Why are they there? Could this be an attempt to bring back the old Soviet Union? Here’s what we know: the American psyche is being used to its advantage. Mind games can be used as weapons in a war without armaments. While we ponder what is going on, we can visibly see that the Russian army is being built up. Who cares? Ask anyone who grew up during the Cold War.
Here’s where the Tyranny Principle comes in. Tyrants are bullies. How do you stop bullies? By standing up to them. If you are weak or comply with their demands, what do you get? More bullying. These tyrants have to be stopped. How? by not giving in to their demands, not playing their game, and by a show of force more potent than they are. Years ago, in central California, a young junior high student was being bullied daily. The young boy wrote to a famous wrestling champion that he admired and asked for suggestions on stopping the harassment. The Champ Wrestler came to the boy’s school with him. End of story. It’s the same in real life.
This is why we must elect leaders of strong character; leaders who put We the People first; leaders who are unafraid to stand up for American values, our Constitution, and our way of life.
Let’s look at the southern border. The same principle applies. Leaders who do not stand up for American laws and values are unpatriotic; they are perceived as weak by the world’s bullies. If American leaders don’t stand up for their country, they become obedient to tyrants simply by their complacency. Those tyrants demand more and more obedience (and more and more of our freedom, land, and resources). Tyrants never let up until they are stopped.
When We the People understand the Tyranny Principle, we become part of the solution. We will not be complicit. Instead, we will stand up for our freedom.
This is Common Sense Civics and Citizenship. 🇺🇸
