The phrase was first used in 1904 meaning “the entire perspective on a situation or issue”

Life was a lot simpler in 1904, but people were the same.  All one has to do is look at famous quotes by famous people of that time.

Mark Twain (1835 to 1910):

“If you don’t read the newspaper you are uninformed, if you do read the newspaper you are misinformed”

“No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session “

Will Rogers (1879 to 1935): ” I don’t make jokes.  I just watch the government and report the facts”

Now let’s go way back!

Aesop, 620 BC - 564 BC:

 “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office”

“After all is said and done, more is said than done.”

Pericles, 430 BC:

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you”

“Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it.”

Voltaire, 1764: “In general, the art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one party of the citizens to give to the other “.

Thomas Jefferson:

“The federal government is our servant, not our master”

“There is no justification for taking away individuals' freedom in the guise of public safety.”

“The man who would choose security over freedom deserves neither.”

All of these quotes have one thing in common, the government grows at the expense of individual freedom !

Individual wealth equals individual freedom.   

You cannot have individual freedom without private property!

You cannot build wealth without private property.

You cannot build wealth without the rule of law being equally applied.

Individual wealth can be destroyed with taxes.

Living in New Mexico and watching the legislature operate in this year’s  60 day session it is easy to get caught up in all the individual bills that are being introduced and debated.  This is a mistake!  If you step back and look at “The Big Picture” everything they are doing is designed to:

Eliminate small business:   Small business owners tend to be very independent.  People who work for small business tend to have more control over their life.  If you have to work for a major corporation, you are easy to control.

Eliminate doctors from having a private practice:  If a doctor has no choice but to work for a large hospital, they are easy to control.  For example:  No mater what your religious beliefs , you will perform abortions or you will not work.

Make as many citizens as possible dependent on the government for medical care.

Expand the power of unions.  If you must join a union to work you are easily controlled.

Eliminate individual school boards:  A state school board consolidates power in the state capital.

Eliminate elected public utilities commissioners :  Ones, appointed by the governor are much easier to control.

Change election law to be sure you never lose power.  New Mexico is about to become California East.    Or worse!

What is the solution?  It is easy to state the problem.

Government amassing power and wealth at the expense of  individual freedoms!

The only solution is to get the general public to really understand “The Big Picture”.  By enlightening the general public they will become more engaged and hopefully, actually get off their duffs and vote in the next election.

If you want to change the law, change the people making the law!

Tom Vaillancourt is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. He is a retired small business owner and is married with two children and two grandchildren.