What are your core values? Are you willing to defend them? Are you willing to change them if someone you trusted asked you to? Are you willing to compromise them for the sake of convenience or to avoid a fight? Let’s find out.

If you have followed my work, you probably know that the ascent and decline of nations are phenomena that are seemingly deeply rooted in historical patterns and human behavior. However, we should all understand that, like any organization, the heart of a nation’s emergence lies in the strength and potency of its founding vision or purpose. This driving force shapes its rise, molding its identity and guiding its path forward.

Do you know what the vision or purpose of the United States is? I ask because the flip side of this coin is that the downfall of a nation often traces back to its citizens losing sight of the foundational principles that once unified and propelled them forward. This forgetting, this detachment from the core values and objectives that initially defined the nation, literally sows the seeds of decline and eventual collapse.

Granted, the cascade is usually not so easy to see or feel. In fact, it’s a lot like the old “frog in a boiling pot of water” analogy. Nonetheless, the cycle of national rise and fall is typically as complex as it is inevitable. However, if history is truly a guide, and the fall is truly unavoidable, then surely, there must be a way to prolong the republic. Well, I believe there is. Unfortunately, most will not like what that longevity might require. Hence, I must preface the following with a question. Were philosophers such as Machiavelli, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson correct? If so, then we should anticipate conflict – either mental, physical, or both!

Challenges in Modern Society

Let’s be honest with ourselves. Modern society is facing some severe challenges. In many ways, we seem to have gotten a little more than lost. However, that might also be our biggest clue. Understanding that “goodness” is somewhat subjective, we must know that a prosperous society relies on the goodness and responsible behavior of both its leaders and citizens. However, this also means putting foundational principles above personal desires, showing bravery, making wise and accurate decisions, and feeling committed to helping others. And therein lies our problem. In the United States, generally speaking, we no longer do these things.

Let’s take a moment to ponder the status of our country. Make an honest assessment. If you see what I see, then surely you can admit that people are doing the opposite of what is necessary. You can blame social media or a recent president if you want, but regardless, people are putting themselves first, acting recklessly, and “forgetting” their responsibilities to each other. Moreover, there is no proper focus on foundational principles anymore, and frankly, most probably couldn’t articulate them if they had to anyway. Ultimately, this all sets the cycle in motion.

The Division and Erosion of Foundational Values

In many ways, we are more divided than ever, and regardless of our differences, we seem to have forgotten that we are all supposed to be on the same team (Team USA). Moreover, we no longer seek fellow patriots from around the world to join our cause. Instead, we often leave them hanging when they need us most. Take the patriots of Hong Kong, for example. We could have opened up a path to citizenship for these patriots who advocate American values.

Frankly, it seems that most Americans have forgotten our cause and what is supposed to make this nation special. Heck, there are now movements dedicated to demonstrating that we are not special at all and that our foundation was all wrong. Well, I will emphatically state that this shift away from foundational values is dangerous because it undermines the foundation of a strong and healthy society. In fact, it can destroy it.

At the same time, there’s a worrying trend toward more power being held by fewer hands. And yes, that concern is as justified as it is dangerous. Now, while some might suggest that is the responsible solution to our problems (problems often caused by those in power in the first place), history demonstrates that it actually leads to more issues. Of course, we are living examples of that history, which should be obvious by now. Regardless, one can note that as more power is handed over to the government, the bigger the problems seem to become. There is a good reason for that.

The Importance of Education and Distributed Power

Historically, we know that societies thrive when power is spread out and when freedom and education are prioritized. One can note seemingly rare historical examples such as Ancient Athens or the Republic of Venice to demonstrate this point. In fact, that is precisely why Thomas Jefferson was convinced that the success of the American experiment in self-governance depended solely on the education of its citizens. In fact, that is why he advocated for government-funded but independent (not government-run) education. To put his money where his mouth was, he established the University of Virginia to help realize that end – a revolutionary idea at the time.

Conversely, dictatorships (and the following tragedies) typically thrive when power is centralized, and the people are ignorant. We don’t have to dig too deep to find examples of this or just how dangerous it can be. Nazi Germany, Stalinist Soviet Union, Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, North Korea, Rwanda, etc. These were all marked by centralized power, suppressed education, and controlled information, which typically led to horrific outcomes and their ultimate demise. Of course, history is riddled with these examples.

Social Conflict as a Catalyst for Renewal

The stated mismatch really demonstrates how special (and fragile) our nation truly is. Understand that, historically, societies with a high degree of freedom and widespread education have been relatively rare in comparison to those experiencing some form of authoritarian suppression. Hence, logic dictates that if you want a healthy republic free from tyranny, you must resist and prevent the concentration of power BUT ALSO promote stability and freedom via knowledge and information (rooted in accuracy).

Interestingly, there seems to be less commitment to this basic principle nowadays. Perhaps this has a lot to do with the waning desire for education or the quality of the education being provided. Of course, I should reiterate that if you didn’t pay attention, chose not to take the class, or didn’t engage in the lesson, it wasn’t “education” that failed. At the same time, we must understand that those “in the know” are relatively rare, primarily because those who are curious enough to look are rare. Clearly, the masses are not up to speed on foundational knowledge. Nonetheless, it seems evident that we are heading toward a point in time where our direction will be determined by those who are determined to provide such direction. Indeed, ideas vary, and resolve is rising on both sides. However, these forces will inevitably meet.

Yes, that implies a potential fight – either an intellectual one or, worse, a physical one. However, it saddens me to say it might not be such a bad idea. Men such as Machiavelli, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson made it clear that social conflict is a source of strength and continuous renewal for a republic. While that may seem paradoxical, often tragic and uncomfortable, in many ways, it can actually make our nation stronger, as it forces us to find a balance between different needs, promoting freedom and preventing one group from having too much control. Perhaps it is the political equivalent of punching your bully in the mouth or, as Thomas Jefferson famously suggested to John Adams, a thunderstorm trying to balance differences in electrical charges in the atmosphere.

But is such a struggle really necessary? Well, unfortunately, probably. After all, we know that those currently in power actively seek to increase their power at the expense of the people they rule. And as a result, we see a decline in both personal wealth and freedoms that citizens hold dear. These things are always traded. Think about it: there are more laws on the books than the Library of Congress can count, we incarcerate more people per capita than any other nation on the planet, and there is currently not a single right in the Bill of Rights not being infringed upon.

I’m sorry to say, but that’s not freedom; few are resisting, and most are too ignorant to know how to resist or participate enough to change it. Scary stuff! At the same time, as a nation, we are all but abandoning our desire to be civil with one another enough to have these necessary conversations. Interestingly, our politicians and pundits actively encourage us to abandon higher education while they fan the flames of our divisions. As a result, many have retreated to their toxic tribes and grown comfortable in their confirmation bias. Where do you think this goes? It seems that it is only a matter of time before something gives.

Civic Responsibility and Consequences

Let’s pause and ask, what really keeps a society civil? It might seem simplistic, but it seems that a lot of it comes down to wanting to avoid negative consequences. Of course, that implies that boundaries and consequences are set in the first place. Perhaps that is why James Madison warned about the dangers associated with the public suffering under government abuses rather than acting to correct those abuses.

The truth is that if someone fears punishment, they’re less likely to break the rules. Conversely, if they think they’ll benefit or at least not suffer for bad behavior, they’re more likely to take risks or infringe upon the rights of another. Even worse, if someone, like a criminal or politician, feels completely untouchable, they won’t care about the impact of their actions on others and will act accordingly. Welcome to America!

So, you tell me! Do people (citizens, Karens, criminals, law enforcement, politicians, military, etc.) in this country fear the consequences of bad behavior or the aftermath of infringing upon the rights of another? I don’t think so, and thousands of videos and laws demonstrate the point. However, at the end of the day, we must understand that you train people how to treat you. Similarly, the people train their government how to treat them. In other words, what you allow will be. That point is likely why James Madison argued that it was necessary to set boundaries to guard against the gradual concentration of power, as one transgression could lead to another, eventually undermining liberty and leading to a consolidation of power that could result in tyranny.

With this understanding, we must admit that we have all helped create the problems we currently face because most people are not brave enough to stand up against their bullies. We have perpetuated dangerous misconceptions about the importance of foundation and family. There are YouTube channels dedicated to this fact. Understand that problems like bullying, political targeting, racism, abuses, and violations of rights simply won’t stop unless there are real boundaries, real consequences, and a hefty dose of resolve that makes them stop. The question is, how do we set and enforce these consequences responsibly, and could we have prevented these issues in the first place?

The Path to Preservation and Renewal

First of all, yes, it all could have been prevented, and it would have been fine if we had strictly adhered to the Bill of Rights and continued our collective pursuit of education, equality, and liberty. But we didn’t, and now we have to sleep in the bed we’ve made. We chose personal benefits and perks over the team. We chose a bigger government over personal responsibility. We chose not to discipline ourselves or our kids. Now, the world doesn’t like us, we don’t like each other, and many don’t like themselves. In a lot of ways, we are now a nation of bullies and self-loathing narcissists who prefer a nanny state over liberty. And somehow, people are confused about what they see in the news. Well, to use Jefferson’s metaphor, we are out of balance, and the storm clouds are forming.

So, let us take a moment to better understand the paradoxical nature of peace and civility. Like it or not, peace demands a willingness to engage in battle. Understanding that mastery happens through repetition, which means progressions are had with each attempt, when a person or group attempts to destroy what you hold most precious, is it justifiable to meet action with action to protect or defend these things? Or do you allow the attempts to continue in an effort to avoid stooping to their level or avoid conflict? One guarantees destruction over time. The other requires you to become a warrior.

This is to say that peace is not for the faint-hearted. Neither is freedom. In reality, both of these belong to the warriors. Those who avoid conflict, who fear to draw their lines in the sand, who are confused about what they stand for or what they will not stand for, inevitably fall prey to those who will take advantage of that weakness or aversion. In other words, if you desire peace, you must be prepared to fight for it. If you seek civility, you must be ready to momentarily abandon it to safeguard its essence. Only through the strength to confront and challenge can we truly protect and cherish the values of peace and civility.

Of course, we could look at this another way. We have empowered the bullies by turning the cheek or looking at the other way. Now, the bullies are practiced and prepared to fight to keep the power we have given them. We have a choice to make. We can continue down this path and watch it get worse, or we can become the thunderstorm that corrects the imbalance.

If you want to fix this, you must become a warrior. However, before you fight, it is absolutely vital to know what you are fighting for. You must choose principle over party. You must be willing to reject the unconstitutional perks that undermine the Bill of Rights. You must begin to see this nation as your home and reject the idea that you or your ideas are at the center of the universe.

Our Founders knew this, which is precisely why they provided such warnings. Of course, time and time again, history shows the importance of having citizens ready and able to defend their unalienable rights. Our founders emphasized this because a society’s safety and freedom rely on people who are driven by dedication to their country, not just personal gain. Of course, once again, this requires a well-informed public that knows, understands, and supports the core principles of their society.

Conversely, we must be intimately aware that losing sight of these principles is the quickest path to weakening a nation. So, define irony (or strategy) that the institution currently tasked with informing the public via education is the exact same entity that our Founders warned us not to fully trust with disseminating such vital information. We cannot solve a problem that has not been properly identified. Unfortunately, many don’t want to see these truths and will rationalize their misconceptions rather than see the truth for what it is.

Let me be clear. A strong vision is a central necessity for a strong republic (or any organization). For that matter, almost all forms of power can be traced back to strong ideas or visions. That’s because ideas are often the catalyst for change and the driving force behind the pursuit of power in various domains. However, this is only true if we can avoid ‘Epistemic Rigidity.’ In other words, we shouldn’t be so rigid in our thoughts that we cannot accept a good idea or innovation when it presents itself. Of course, to maintain the power that is gained, people need to deeply understand and defend their society’s foundational principles.

In the U.S., this means the Constitution and the Bill of Rights should be at the heart of our culture and education. It used to be. Of course, if you want to destroy everything, you forget, abandon, replace, or destroy those principles. It’s that simple. Accordingly, and to demonstrate that reality, one can note that the further we move away from our foundational principles, the more dysfunctional our society becomes. It’s not an accident. It’s cause and effect. Similarly, those who encourage us to abandon those principles are merely exposing themselves for what they truly are.

I hate to say it, but today, a great portion of our population is ignorant. For example, the majority of high school graduates are not prepared for an entry-level job or even remedial courses at the college level. The education provided by the centralized power leaves much to be desired. Accordingly, this nation now faces a slew of misconceptions regarding the foundational principles, the people who founded it, or how it happened. Much of this confusion is the result of deliberate acts of revisionist history, omission of vital details, and a contortion of intent.

Again, I want you to understand that it’s no accident. Yuri Bezmenov was right! As a result, the core principles have become contorted, skewed, and abandoned; the myth of safety is now prioritized, and we are speeding down the road of decline. It’s predictable. In fact, it’s the Adversity Nexus in a nutshell.

A Potential Solution

The solution is rather simple. To begin with, everyone should brush up on their history while avoiding or rejecting revisionist narratives. Seek accuracy, even if it is uncomfortable. Similarly, we must all beware of efforts to undermine these principles – especially from those on “your side.” I have often said that tyranny often presents itself as government officials saying they are “here to help.” At the same time, understand that tyrants often try to replace old values with new ones. This helps them gain control.

Seek accuracy and avoid confirmation bias. Similarly, know that those seeking to weaken the people will often belittle or dismantle vital institutions meant to preserve the integrity of foundational values. Hence, any move to diminish our foundational principles or to disarm the populace ready to defend such principles should be seen as nothing short of a threat to our freedom and security. Accordingly, you must find the resolve within to stand up. If it helps, then I want you to ponder what life will be like if you don’t.

Moreover, understand that the true strength of a society comes from its collective wisdom, resilience, and decisiveness. As a thought experiment, I want you to think of the collective wisdom of a nation comprised of ignorant followers versus a nation comprised of educated patriots. Which is your preference? It is a choice we all have to make. You must truly learn and learn daily. Of course, efforts to undermine collective wisdom, resilience, and decisiveness should also be seen as warning signs of harmful intentions. History has made this point clear repeatedly, yet, for some reason, it is forgotten or ignored repeatedly.

Remember that the people, when properly organized and guided, are more reliable, wise, and consistent than any one leader. Similarly, you cannot support, love, exercise, or defend something you do not know. Of course, most leaders know this, which is precisely why omission, indoctrination, propaganda, astroturfing, and conditioning are the weapons of choice. Hence, the people must be knowledgeable enough to resist such efforts but also actively involved in the governance of their part of the republic. In other words, giving up because it gets difficult is not an effective solution. And finally, per the Dunning-Kruger Effect, beware of your overconfidence. It is likely a sign that you’ve missed something important.

Of course, these truths are also why our founders designed our system to encourage participation and ensure that governance is informed by the people’s knowledge and commitment to our core values. However, the point is that education (knowledge) is key. By the way, that is precisely why Thomas Jefferson told Joseph Cabell that “The tax which will be paid for [the] purpose [of education] is not more than the thousandth part of what will be paid to kings, priests, and nobles who will rise up among us if we leave the people in ignorance.”

Without this active participation and commitment to education and our foundational principles, we are doomed to decline or even collapse. Indeed, knowledge is power. It is what gives us a deeper understanding of why we fight. Again, the problems we face will not stop until they are made to stop by a motivated, knowledgeable, and virtuous citizenry. However, that will not be easy, especially with so many fanning the flames of division and hindering attempts to find accuracy and resolution. But we have a choice. Do we make the necessary changes in a peaceful manner now, or do we suffer in silence until we are forced to physically fight later? Remember, none of what we are currently facing is an accident. These forces know full well that they can get away with it precisely because the citizenry has lost its sense of purpose and is generally confused about that foundation.

Indeed, we may soon find ourselves at a point where our direction will be determined by those who are determined to provide us with such direction. Unfortunately, determination is always lacking when you’re confused about the point or purpose. You should think about what that truly means for you.

Thankfully, if wise men such as Machiavelli, John Locke, and Thomas Jefferson were correct, knowledgeable warriors will soon make themselves known. What these wise people say will undoubtedly be uncomfortable to hear. Unfortunately, whether they can lead us to a reclamation of liberty depends largely on the knowledge of their followers. That’s a scary thought.

Regardless, it is absolutely crucial to recognize the potential for violence that comes with the divisions currently being thrust upon us. After all, such incidents are rising. At the same time, you should reconsider your sympathies for those who are actively dismantling our republic. They are not your friends. It is vital to understand the progression toward this seemingly inevitable event. With that in mind, I’ll say that there seems to be a lot of genius in the idea that history repeats for those who haven’t learned its lessons.

Unfortunately, in many ways, the vast majority of the people, both the so-called elite and the average citizen, are unprepared for the violence that they are inadvertently asking for. Regardless, there is a choice to be made. Do we continue down this road of decline and division, or do we set it right by doing the right thing? Granted, the ‘right thing’ can be difficult to do. And unfortunately, history suggests that sometimes such conflicts are necessary to remind society of what’s important and motivate society to realign it with its core values and principles.

The question of our collective resolve and understanding of our foundational values remains critical. Consider how hard someone will be willing to fight to save something they do not love or fully understand. Better yet, consider how easy it will be for them to let it go for the sake of perceived benefit or convenience. Either way, history suggests that without this crucial understanding and without this correction, our once great republic may soon find its home in the archives – along with our foundational documents and statues.

Please understand that this piece is designed to encourage critical reflection on governance, society, and the importance of foundational principles over things like ‘party allegiance.’ The historical, philosophical, and contemporary references are meant to stimulate discussion on our collective role in shaping our society’s future. The viewpoints expressed are presented as a perspective rather than an exhaustive analysis. I have presented pointed questions to help you reach a deeper understanding of yourself and your core values. You are encouraged to research (learn) and critically engage with the ideas, recognizing (of course) the complexities and nuances of the topics discussed.