We Live in a Dangerous Time

American Thinker ^ | 17 Sep, 2025 | Jeffrey Folks

[MtnClimber]

We like to believe that we live in an enlightened age. Unlike the ignorant prejudice of medieval times, unlike the history of slavery around the world and in our own country, unlike the genocide of the Holocaust and the horrors of WWII, ours is a peaceful and progressive age on the pathway to utopia. There has not been a global conflict in 80 years, nor, some believe, is there likely to be one ever again.

Supported by such a view of history, we can anticipate a future of global prosperity in which hunger and want are things of the past and in which there will be no reason for war or oppression. The rise of another Hitler or Stalin seems impossible in an equitable world, where all people have a universal basic income (UBI) and access to free health care, education, food, and housing. The violence of the 20th century seems light-years away. Simply by raising taxes on the rich and prohibiting hate speech and outlawing nationalist and religious extremism, we can create a perfect world.

At the heart of that view of the world are two principles: an equal distribution of wealth and a refusal to pass judgments on any kind of behavior. This is the world on offer from Zohran Mamdani, with his promises of state-run groceries and defunding of the police. What would follow, according to Mamdani’s supporters, is the same peace and prosperity that have been offered by every socialist from Marx and Engels to Hugo Chávez. Why should there be any crime when would-be criminals are given all they need? Why should war between nations exist when all nations are equal?

This, I believe, is the line of thought that appeals to at least 40 percent of young Americans.

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TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: leftism

[MtnClimber]

If there is guaranteed income, who will work to produce anything?

[ClearCase_guy]

I suspect that people expect machines and AI systems will do almost all of the work. People will just sit around and write poetry.

I don’t see it working out quite like that.
But the actual outcome (whatever it is) may be driven by a flawed expectation that if we go full steam ahead, it will all work out beautifully.

[Fireone]

As always, the go-getters, the achievers, the innovators, and the ones who get up in the morning, put their work boots on, will succeed.
The slugs, who sleep til noon, and wait for OPM (other people’s money) will either starve or become criminals to survive.

[neverevergiveup]

If there is nothing to strive for, and no way for you to be unique and leave your own mark on the world, existence will be just that - existence. Unfulfilling. Soul numbing.

[sauropod]

Bkmk

[Samurai_Jack]

In this moment, the young dream of a UBI (universal basic income) without work, and many of all ages believe they will not see another major war in their lifetime, if ever.

Those who dream of a free ride would find life “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,” to use Hobbes’s famous phrase.

[The Duke]

"I suspect that people expect machines and AI systems will do almost all of the work. People will just sit around and write poetry."

The problem is, AI creates pretty good poetry.

[ClearCase_guy]

I think the reality is that bored people will just burn down cities for fun.

[antidemoncrat]

The US was founded as one nation under God ... the Deep State aka the Left aka the Democratic Party is trying to change the US to one nation under Satan.

[Buttons12]

A man becomes dangerous when he eliminates the possibility that he could be mistaken.

[libertylover]

If there is guaranteed income, who will work to produce anything?

Liberals don't seem to understand that.

[Sicon]

The COVID epidemic FRAUD

[Teacher317]

where all people have a universal basic income (UBI)

It fails every time it is tried, at every scale.

[unlearner]

Prepare for war, famine, and pandemics. These are some of the signs Christ said would preceed His return. Also, prepare to be debanked and deplatformed in the future economy where everyone must take the “mark of the beast” to participate.

[RckyRaCoCo]

bfl