I want to make it clear that the "war" I don't believe exists is the "war" that many claim is raging in America. I do not believe that there is a war between two opposing mindsets where holding one view leads to eternal damnation and the other leads to paradise. I do not believe that there is a war between Democrats and Republicans; between Black Lives Matters and Blue Lives Matter; the Media vs. traditional values; and et cetera. To be sure, there are conflicts and differences of opinion that exist between many of these groups. And many times, it does seem like we are at war. But this is only because we choose to be at war. Let's examine a possible reason why we're constantly told that we're at war.
An interesting thing about wars is that there are always people who profit from them. Munitions and war materials aren't cheap, and someone has to provide them. Outside of a pure Communistic regime, it is typically the private sector that supplies these war materials. Many of the largest corporations in the world today were grown exponentially during the Second World War. Companies like DuPont, Coca-Cola, Ford, Boeing, Rolls Royce, and Winchester profited greatly by supplying the Allies with war materials; as well as several companies that supplied the Axis powers like Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi. Many companies do very well in times of war. I do not believe in conspiracies that the CEOs of these companies plotted in dark rooms to cause a war to break out; But I do believe that some of them may have been motivated by more than just patriotic fervor in their support of the war effort. Let's not forget that "the love of money is the root of all evil."
Is it crazy to think that maybe some people may profit from war in a non-violent sense then? Any rational person could see that it is likely to happen. So who are these people who benefit from this modern day war that is not a physical war? Those who are supplying the war material. And there are many people have gotten very rich and powerful from this war mentality. I don't know the true motives of these people, so I'll try not to criticize them too much, but are Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh, Alex Jones, Rachel Maddow, or Michael Moore suffering financially because of this "war" they've helped create? These people have all benefited by providing the munitions of anger and misinformation to this "war". Hannity and Limbaugh have had long successful careers directed at destroying "the liberal media", the "leftist elitists", and now the horrible "Never-Trumpers"; but ask yourself, to what end has this accomplished anything?
If we're honest with ourselves, we'd realize that these people are just entertainers. They are entertainers who make money off of the amount of listeners they have. And I can tell you from personal experience, if you're not mad and you don't believe in this "war", you typically don't listen to Rush or Hannity. And the more listeners that become this way, the fewer listeners they would have. Thus, the less money they would make. And if we are honest with ourselves, we'd admit that getting political advice on a complex global economy and geopolitical issues from a college drop-out probably isn't the best idea.
That's not to say that college dropouts are worthless or don't know anything, but would you get financial advice from someone who studied nursing and couldn't finish nursing school? Would you go to a diesel mechanic for legal advice? Would you go to the local priest if your transmission blew out? If you wanted to learn how to swim, would you find the nearest McDonald's and ask the cashier? I'm sure many of us would say that we wouldn't normally do these things. Education and experience in a subject tend to lead to master of that subject. So why then, do many get their political advice from those who have no political experience? We seem to get mad at Hollywood actors voicing their political opinions (when we disagree with them) because we believe that they don't know what they're talking about because they are actors. Yet, we're faithful followers of men who never finished college and have little work experience outside of talk radio. Does that not strike you as something to be concerned about? Are you really getting the best political advice when you listen to these people? Have you ever stopped to think, that they might just have an ulterior motive to keep you listening? It's estimated that Rush Limbaugh is the 11th highest earning celebrity in the world. Yes, you read that correctly. His radio contract is for upwards of $80 million a year! His bank account depends on how many people listen to his show. Strong emotions tend to keep listeners. Ask yourself how many people do you know that consistently watch Hannity or Maddow and aren't perpetually mad? You'll probably realize that it's a lot fewer than you think.
So hopefully now we see that this "war" had caused some people to benefit greatly from it. I don't want to say that what they are saying is false. They do bring up some valid points and there are legitimate things to be concerned about. But just because there is a conflict going on now between two very different mindsets, does not mean we are at war. Shouting that the other side is trying to destroy America has never, and will never accomplish anything good. All it causes is massive amounts of rash emotions and sensationalism. And sensationalism rarely solves any problems, and almost always causes additional problems to the one it is trying to solve. Shouting that abortion is murder in front of a Planned Parenthood is highly unlikely to dissuade anyone from voting for a Hillary Clinton. Treating them like a human being and holding a rational discussion with them, and explaining to them why it is wrong is a much better solution.
What are the implications for this constant state of war that we seem to be in? Does it really have ramifications? Are there really consequences? After all, who doesn't enjoy what they believe to righteous indignation? The consequences from this mindset are rarely good.
To be continued...
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