Envy is the foundation for every governments authority. That is why I was blown away by Kevin D. Williamsons article based on the topic of envy:
I can only add my take to Williamsons astute analysis.
St. Augustine called envy the most diabolical sin. Others called envy the most underrated sin. As true as those definitions are, I would argue that envy is the most destructive of the seven deadly sins. No other sin has such a negative impact on all of mankind. Indeed, throughout history the other six deadly sins grew stronger in the governments that envy made possible.
Envy is also the most difficult sin to guard against. The limited government Americas founders established almost succeeded.
Prior to the spread of Socialism/Communism democracy was envys favorite form of government. Understandably so, because democracy was always the parasites preferred form of government. Todays envious parasites are working overtime to combine the two forms of government in an attempt to avoid a double-suicide:
Utopia
Nobody seems to notice that parasites never achieved their utopian dream of a benign totalitarian government, while their champions did right-well on envy since the first government reared its ugly head:
Heres the scene:
First, the press is relatively new in the affairs of men; several hundred years at most. The electronic media is even newer; approximately a century if you start with the number of radios in households during WWI. Their combined record of service to mankind is outstanding if you happen to be a parasite, or a tax dollar millionaire.
More to the point, whatever media workers earn they get from tax deductible advertising dollars, while the guys who own the printing presses, and the transmitters, become billionaires working for the government.
Secondly, Lil Abners 50-plus million does not include Daisy Maes little nest egg. Not a penny of it would have been possible without the media.
Thirdly, I wont accuse the Clintons of stealing like honest crooks. I assume a lot of their dough comes from speaking fees, and from labor unions making block purchases of their books; the books are either given away or destroyed.
Heres the gimmick with speaking fees. Someone who knew a lot about the tax code once told me that the fees charged to hear government big shots speak are paid by corporations purchasing blocks of tickets for their top employees who are then expected to fill the room, and from wealthy individuals. Both take a tax deduction. Obviously, insider favors are expected in return. Ergo, taxpayers pay just as they pay to feed the more recognizable parts of the welfare state.
Before I am accused of being envious of the Clintons, let me point out that I harbor no ill-will against any man or woman that gets rich without feeding at the public trough. Such individuals always advance civilization, while people like the Clintons feed on civilization for the common good of course.
Finally, Robert Duvalls napkin story in the video is interesting in that the real Picasso was a PRIVATE SECTOR billionaire. Its safe to say he did not get there with tax dollars. In addition, Picassos work will generate wealth for centuries to come, while you cannot name one tax dollar parasite whose work generates anything of value at any time.
Of the seven deadly sins, envy may not be the wickedest, but it is the most embarrassing. To be possessed by envy is to admit a humiliating personal inadequacy: We do not envy others those attainments that we think we too might achieve, but those we despair of ever possessing. Wrath, greed, pride, lust all assume a certain self-possession. Sloth and gluttony are practically standard issue in times of plenty such as these. Wrath and pride are the sins of great (but not good) men. Envy is the affliction of the insignificant. It is the small mans sin.
I can only add my take to Williamsons astute analysis.
St. Augustine called envy the most diabolical sin. Others called envy the most underrated sin. As true as those definitions are, I would argue that envy is the most destructive of the seven deadly sins. No other sin has such a negative impact on all of mankind. Indeed, throughout history the other six deadly sins grew stronger in the governments that envy made possible.
Envy is also the most difficult sin to guard against. The limited government Americas founders established almost succeeded.
Prior to the spread of Socialism/Communism democracy was envys favorite form of government. Understandably so, because democracy was always the parasites preferred form of government. Todays envious parasites are working overtime to combine the two forms of government in an attempt to avoid a double-suicide:
Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide. John Adams
Utopia
Nobody seems to notice that parasites never achieved their utopian dream of a benign totalitarian government, while their champions did right-well on envy since the first government reared its ugly head:
Megan McArdle once observed that in our public discourse, very rich is defined as just above the level a top-notch journalist in a two-earner couple could be expected to pull down. There is no envy like the envy of a $250,000 man in a world of $250 million men, as Robert Duvalls crusty newspaper editor explains to a financially frustrated employee in The Paper: The people we cover we move in their world, but it is their world. We dont get the money never have, never will. But being in that world, they learn to covet, which helps explain why Professor Reichs old boss, Bill Clinton, ended up with $50-odd million in the bank after a lifetime of public service.
December 16, 2013 4:00 AM
The Age of Envy The most embarrassing sin produces the worst politics.
By Kevin D. Williamson
The Age of Envy | National Review Online
Heres the scene:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIaY5BHWLlw&feature=player_detailpage]Glenn Close The Paper - YouTube[/ame]
First, the press is relatively new in the affairs of men; several hundred years at most. The electronic media is even newer; approximately a century if you start with the number of radios in households during WWI. Their combined record of service to mankind is outstanding if you happen to be a parasite, or a tax dollar millionaire.
More to the point, whatever media workers earn they get from tax deductible advertising dollars, while the guys who own the printing presses, and the transmitters, become billionaires working for the government.
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwqPBlSxb-0&feature=player_detailpage]The Country's In the Very Best of Hands - YouTube[/ame]
Secondly, Lil Abners 50-plus million does not include Daisy Maes little nest egg. Not a penny of it would have been possible without the media.
Thirdly, I wont accuse the Clintons of stealing like honest crooks. I assume a lot of their dough comes from speaking fees, and from labor unions making block purchases of their books; the books are either given away or destroyed.
Heres the gimmick with speaking fees. Someone who knew a lot about the tax code once told me that the fees charged to hear government big shots speak are paid by corporations purchasing blocks of tickets for their top employees who are then expected to fill the room, and from wealthy individuals. Both take a tax deduction. Obviously, insider favors are expected in return. Ergo, taxpayers pay just as they pay to feed the more recognizable parts of the welfare state.
Before I am accused of being envious of the Clintons, let me point out that I harbor no ill-will against any man or woman that gets rich without feeding at the public trough. Such individuals always advance civilization, while people like the Clintons feed on civilization for the common good of course.
Finally, Robert Duvalls napkin story in the video is interesting in that the real Picasso was a PRIVATE SECTOR billionaire. Its safe to say he did not get there with tax dollars. In addition, Picassos work will generate wealth for centuries to come, while you cannot name one tax dollar parasite whose work generates anything of value at any time.