Numbers
By: Charlie Earl
Generally, I’m a rather optimistic and “happy-go-lucky” sort of person, but when I scan the news on the internet and sit at this keyboard, my chuckles are transformed into chagrin. From carefree to curmudgeonly. As I research and consider the topic of the day, my mind mulls over the ramifications of my fellow citizens’ reactions (or indifference) to a particular news item.
Rasmussen, Gallup and Quinnipiac were not around when the American Revolution was launched in the 18th Century. Nevertheless, numerous historians have anecdotally determined that roughly one-third of the populace was in favor of separation from Great Britain, another third desired that the union continue, and the final third was either indifferent or opportunistically prepared for whichever way the outcome was decided. These divisions are frequently cited as harbingers of hope for the small remnant who struggles to restore our republic to its former status. By citing that a dedicated minority can sway the people to pursue liberty, they spread the magical dust of hope that all is not lost.
The optimist in me (and I suspect you as well) grasps this meme with a death-grip, a choke hold and a full-nelson as we yearn to experience a gusher of constitutional liberty-loving sentiment sweeping across the land and saving our progeny from the enslavement of socialism. I suspect that we are either dreaming or radically over-medicated. Let’s examine the numbers.
Roughly one-half of the nation’s people are either wholly or partially dependent on the state (the government) for sustenance and other extraneous benefits such as cell phones etc. Although the dependent class typically votes in lower percentages than the producers, crass political performers pound the theme of “loss” effectively enough to assure that many elections are “down to the wire.” What is often overlooked in this calculus is that many of the producing class are relived to maintain the “status quo” rather than achieving significant movement towards liberty. Clearly….the “status quo” is a convenient, self-deluding fiction because the creeping erosion of our freedoms and the limitations of our choices march on. The “feel-good” high of an electoral victory is soon displaced by the awareness that little has changed….except for the rhetoric and the “buzz words.”
In addition….if we extrapolate the anecdotal numbers of the 18th Century patriots to today, we are necessarily limited to the half of the populace who claim to desire limited government. Taking the one-third historical claim that would leave us with approximately one-sixth of the people who passionately support liberty and are willing to do whatever is required to secure it. In other words….52million souls filled with anger and commitment, conviction and persistence. In my view….their passion is rather muted. Their anger is alarmingly subdued, and the commitment has not been demonstrated. I suspect that we do not have 52 million people in the United States who thirst for liberty….or who understand what liberty is. How many are there who will join the struggle? How many are willing to face IRS audits, Homeland Security watch lists, and FBI infiltrations in order to organize for liberty? Not very many I suspect.
The liberty and constitutional brigades probably represent far fewer people than one-sixth or 52 million. How many sunshine patriots are determined to overcome indifference, fear and resistance from many cohorts who they presume to be allies? My pessimistic alter-ego tells me the task is too great, the opposition too strong and the timing is too late. My hope, however, remembers that some 500 souls and a dozen leaders began a movement some 20 centuries ago that is still with us despite conflicts and rabid oppression. That movement was created and inspired by the Great Almighty. If a committed remnant merits His favor in the United States today, then perhaps freedom can prevail. His power is unlimited, but the necessary remnant might not rise up.
Charlie Earl
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