OhioDave™ strikes again!

From OhioDave's™ blog:

Fear Itself

When Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to his first term as President of the United States, he opened his inaugural address with these words (emphasis mine):

I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.

He was speaking of the dire economic straits our country faced at the time. The Depression was in full swing, and FDR's administration would lift America out of it.

But if you read those words now, I believe they are even more relevant. Unfortunately, our government will not speak the truth, frankly and boldly. Instead of a strong leader like FDR, we have an ignorant, deceitful President, elected in scandal, re-elected in possibly the most corrupt Presidential election ever held, and made a puppet of Big Business.

Instead of a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people," we have a mass of corrupt politicians more concerned with stuffing their wallets than serving their constituents.

Instead of government agencies created to bolster the economy and improve the stability of the country, we have government agencies created to spy on us and keep us fearful of vague and implausible terror plots involving shoes and bottled water. Don't mind the facts, we are told. Just be afraid. Be very afraid.

They want us to believe we need them. They want us to believe we need their ridiculous restrictions and restraints on our freedoms. They want us to believe we're safer if we give up our liberty and our rights.

What we really need, however, is a new government. Not a new system of government, mind you; our system is still the best in the world. No, a new government; a government, as FDR said, "of frankness and vigor," not deceit and intimidation. A government that truly looks out for the welfare of its people, rather than trying to exploit them.

I'm starting to wonder if it's even possible to have that kind of government in America anymore.