Many of us know that this time we are living through is a pivotal time for the current generations. However, it is 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 futures of our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren are hanging in the balance right now.
This Was All Predicted
Back in the 1990s, two historians predicted this time we are living through in their book, The Fourth Turning: What the Cycles of History Tell Us About America’s Next Rendezvous with Destiny. 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 their society.
25 years ago, Strauss and Howe predicted that in the 2010s, we would be moving into increasing upheaval, and that it would come to a climax sometime between 2020 and 2025. Strauss and Howe even predicted that a pandemic with increasing governmental control was one possibility for what would be happening specifically.
“Sometime before the year 2025, America will pass through a great gate in history, commensurate with the American Revolution, Civil War, and twin emergencies of the Great Depression and World War II.”
~~ from The Fourth Turning, by Strauss and Howe
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. This has been referred to as the choice between a Force Shift vs a Freedom Shift. 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 pretty much handle the rest in its bumbling way. Yes, we voted and had strong opinions about specific issues, but for the most part, that is all many of us have done.
The past several generations were raised without a strong foundation in constitutional principles and without any example to follow in knowing how to constrain the Government. Instead, we have been focused mostly on our own personal concerns, and this has directly led to the tyrannical over-reach that we are now up against.
“If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, in a state of civilization, it expects what never was and never will be.”
“Let our countrymen know that the people alone can protect us against these evils [of misgovernment].”
~~ Thomas Jefferson
Maybe it was different for you, but before 2020 I was one of those who was mostly concerned with my own little family bubble. I was homeschooling and raising my kids while working part-time in natural healthcare. I had never sent a letter to the city council, or signed a petition, or attended a protest, or worked with Legislators. What a huge wake-up call the current crisis has been for me and many others.
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 with the current situation, vaccines and masks aren’t the root of the evil we are facing. Being for or against vaccines and masks is beside the point. The science of whether or not vaccines and masks work is actually irrelevant to how we need to move forward to reclaim our birthright.
Like people, Governments tend toward perpetual expansion. This crisis started with mandated masks and lockdowns, and when the Government found that the people were willing to accept those without putting up any real fight, the Government continued to expand its reach.
Many of us 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 healthcare and school systems are being crippled by mandates which are forcing many capable, dependable people to leave their professions. Our 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 with no intention of returning to the places or jobs that were willing to sacrifice their rights.
The vaccine mandates never would have happened if the mask mandates and lockdowns had not been allowed by the people. It is now clear that a return to normalcy will not happen unless the people demand it. Our compliance and our unwillingness to get involved are our downfall.
What Do *You* Choose?
According to the cycles of history, 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 step up now to ensure that your children inherit a life built on liberty instead of control?
We are all busy and have many other things that pull our attention away. I feel the same; I have many competing priorities including homeschooling and working. Nonetheless, if we roll over and give up 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 are unlikely to see any real, lasting change unless more people get involved and make a commitment to stay involved. As individuals, our impact is limited, but together we can lead the way to ensure that this Fourth Turning becomes a Freedom Shift for the benefit of our children and grandchildren.
A shortened version of this article was published in the New Mexico Sun newspaper.