Posted on 12/10/2006 7:13:53 AM PST by Joe Republc
I recently had the privilege of talking to Mark Steyn about the death of capitalist economist Milton Friedman, the current social crises facing Europe and America, and how the two subjects are related. Here's a sample:
As Europe’s example shows us, “big government . . . enfeebles the citizenry.” We may not be as far along that path as Europe, but already the signs are clear as to what direction we’re going.
Our government currently is experiencing what Steyn calls a “malign convergence . . . [between] Democratic defeatism on the one hand, and the so-called Republican realism on the other.” Just at the moment when the country could be setting an example of strong and principled leadership, “they’re interested in finding the most appealing euphemism under which to lose the war. . . . If America doesn’t have the will . . . there’s certainly no reason why Russia and China should take America seriously ever again. Iran and North Korea will be emboldened. . . . We would live in a world without order.”
Up against a world situation this dangerous, why is it that so many Americans act so blasé, or so impatient, about the whole situation? Steyn cites as one major reason the “broad but shallow culture” that we’ve been immersed in for so many years. Thanks largely to technology, the “barrage of electronic entertainment” in particular, “it’s very easy to live in the present tense now,” unaware of the “great sweep of history.”
P.S. I need to read more Mark Steyn!!!
(Excerpt) Read more at thepoint.breakpoint.org ...
-- Joe
Here's an appropriate adjustment to the title that may reflect how many of us feel:
"Living in the present, tense."
Congressman Billybob
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Hedonism, the continual seeking of pleasure, keeps us from expending any effort on things which do not produce an immediate reward. For example, learning history, geography, keeping track of world events. We become self-centered, and our world shrinks to our circle of friends and our preferred sources of entertainment.
The constant buzz of technology and ever-present entertainment keep us from thinking about where we came from or where we are going. We live for pleasure, and we live for the moment. Together, these tendencies form the perfect storm and set us up for destruction.
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