This is a pivotal time for the current generation, but it is also much bigger than that. According to the cycles of history, the outcome of the current crisis is going to set the stage for the next few generations. The future of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are hanging in the balance.
This Was All Predicted
Back in the 1990s, two historians predicted this time we are living through in their book, "The Fourth Turning." Through studying the last 600 years of Anglo-Saxon history, historians Strauss and Howe identified a repeating pattern, wherein every 80-100 years there was a climactic period of tumult. The Fourth Turning happens after two generations of people are largely focused on their own personal concerns, and unengaged in the governance of society.
Twenty-five years ago, Strauss and Howe predicted that in the 2010s, we would be moving into increasing upheaval, and it would come to a climax sometime between 2020-2025. They even predicted that a pandemic with increasing governmental control was one possibility for what would be happening specifically.
At the root of it, during a Fourth Turning humanity is faced with a choice: to move society towards greater government force or to move society towards greater freedom. It is up to us right now to determine which way our society will go.
Moving From Personal Concerns to Broader Impact
Prior to 2020, many of us were comfortable with staying focused on our own lives, and assuming the government would handle the rest. Yes, we voted and had strong opinions about specific issues, but that is all many of us have done.
The past several generations were raised without a strong foundation in constitutional principles or any example for knowing how to constrain the government. Our focus on personal concerns has directly led to the tyrannical over-reach that we are now facing.
Prior to 2020, I was mostly concerned with homeschooling and raising my kids while working part-time in natural health care. I had never sent a letter to the city council, or attended a protest, or worked with Legislators. The current crisis has been a huge wake-up call.
This Isn’t About Vaccines or Masks
Although forced vaccines and masks are at the forefront of what many of us see to be wrong, vaccines and masks aren’t the root of the evil we are facing. The science of whether or not vaccines and masks work is actually irrelevant for reclaiming our birthright.
Governments tend toward perpetual expansion. This crisis started with mandated masks and lockdowns, and when the government found that people were willing to accept those without any real pushback, the government continued to expand its reach.
Many hoped that if we just went along with what the government told us to do, things would go “back to normal.” Instead, people are now being denied access to society because of their individual medical conditions and choices. Our health care and school systems are being crippled by mandates which are forcing capable, dependable people to leave their professions. National security is at risk, too, as the mandates are leaving our military, National Labs, and nuclear facilities short-staffed.
These damages aren’t easily recoverable, no matter what the Supreme Court decides. Too many have already left the places that that forced sacrifice of their rights.
Vaccine mandates never would have happened if mask mandates and lockdowns had not been allowed. A return to normalcy will not happen unless the people demand it. Our compliance and unwillingness to get involved are our downfall.
What Do *You* Choose?
The choices we make right now are going to set the course for the next 80-100 years. The lives of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are at stake. Are you willing to work to ensure that all children inherit a life built on liberty instead of control?
We’re all busy and have other priorities. Nonetheless, if we give in now because we are too tired or busy, the writing is on the wall that our children and grandchildren will suffer under authoritarian rule.
If We the People aren’t willing to stand up for our freedom, the government will continue to extend its tentacles further into our lives. We won’t see lasting change unless more people make a commitment to get involved. As individuals, our impact is limited, but together we can lead the way to ensure that this Fourth Turning creates greater freedom for the benefit of our children and grandchildren.
Sarah Smith is one of the leaders for both the New Mexico Freedoms Alliance and the National Coalition for Health Integrity, She has been a natural health care practitioner for eight years and is a former NASA aerospace engineer.