What a Tradeoff!

 

 

 

A tradeoff worth examining

But taken for granted:

Freedom and security

But towards the latter slanted.

 

Taking away my freedom

So that I can be secure

And this displacement making me

Less free more and more.

 

Because I am feeling scared

I would rather feel safe,

The emphasis being on feeling

Hence, a faulty base.

 

It’s like opting for shadows

The bigger the better,

My pretending it is oh so real

Makes me a trend setter.

 

Imagine you are a millionaire

What can you buy?

What can you change

Each time you fantasize?

 

Feeling truly matters

Only until the reality kicks in

And your reality is your reality

Not what you are feeling.

 

Freedom does not matter

If one doesn’t feel safe

And the Government runs free

With this as its base.

 

Enter taxes and restrictions

To give the assurance,

Government will take care of you

With minimum insurance.

 

Accountants and actuaries

Are brought on board

And with their professional stats

We begin to feel secure.

 

The banking system

They too get in on the act

And in their voracious vaults

Our little become trapped.

 

They show us no interest

Neither in money nor attention

And Government exacerbates this

By taxing our pension.

 

It is all for our freedom

As well as our security

And we daily sing their praises

In our absurdity.

 

What a wonderful tradeoff

We are all enjoying!

The chance to feel safe

While our freedoms are dying.

 

 

The vaccine, you’d remember

Was one such case:

As citizens we were free to take it

But forced to make haste.

 

It was not imperative

Since we were given two options:

Either take the vaccine

Or be severely sanctioned.

 

If you do you die

And if you don’t you’re damned,

That’s Hobson’s choice for you;

That was Government’s plan.

 

What a tradeoff that was

If you see what I mean,

The only thing better than reality

Are fantasies and dreams.

 

Can’t get money to buy land

But you could to buy a car,

Never for a business enterprise

Unless you’re already a star.

Birthright for a little soup

With no paddle up the creek

And the dubious tradeoffs continue:

Blessing lost via deceit!

 

 

Government in hand with

Insurance companies and banks,

And all we get in exchange

Is an inaudible thanks.

 

Stewart Russell © July 19, 2023