Why the Worst Get on Top

We must return for a moment to the position which precedes the suppression of democratic institutions and the creation of totalitarian regimes. In this stage it is the general demand for a quick and determined government action that is the dominating element in the situation, dissatisfaction with the slow and cumbersome course of democratic procedure which makes action for action’s sake the goal. It is then the man or the party who seems strong and resolute enough “to get things done” who exercises the greatest appeal. “Strong” in this sense means not merely a numerical majority – it is the ineffectiveness of parliamentary majorities with which people are dissatisfied. What they will seek is somebody with such solid support as to inspire confidence that he can carry out whatever he wants.

(Emphasis added)

-- From The Road to Serfdom by F.A. Hayek, chapter 10 “Why the Worst Get on Top”, p. 150 (Fiftieth Anniversary Ed., University of Chicago Press)



I think if I had read Hayek and Bastiat when I was in college I would have become an economist.

The mainstream media is pimping Obama as this leader. He lost the debate, but, since no one really watched it, the media narrative, via polling data, is that Obama won. From Hayek’s insightful analysis, we can see the purpose behind the left's use of polling data. Bush cannot get things done because he has low poll numbers. McCain is falling in the polls. He does not inspire confidence.

Polling has become the most insidious form of propaganda available to the socialists in this country. Even conservatives fall victim to it. Go over to Free Republic sometime after a poll comes out and see the wailing and gnashing of teeth that takes place as they offer prayers, tears, advice and excuses for the conservatives' poor performance.

I said a while back that I thought McCain would win with Palin, but I admitted that a lot could happen. The “mortgage crisis” happened, and America may well pay in more than bailout money.

What can we do? For one thing we can pray. I think this is important because it changes the atmosphere. Right now panic, despair and despondency are ruling. Prayer can change that. God is not a Republican – but He is certainly not a Democrat. What He will do is give us a leader in accordance with our hearts. Being in harmony with God’s will and purpose as the Body of Christ is of far greater consequence than which self-aggrandizing maroon occupies the Oval Office. If the Obamessiah does win, my daily prayer will be, “God smack Barack and keep his butt in line.”

It seems obvious, but, vote. I have my absentee ballot on my desk right now. I am going to fill it out, have it notarized and mailed in a couple of days. It’s easy to do. Christians, libertarians, conservatives, and classical liberals can make history by voting down the most extreme socialist ever to run on a major party ticket in America. Forget your differences with McCain. Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin are not going to win. You are not voting for the pastor of your church. You are voting for a politician – by definition this means picking the lesser of two evils. Practice your holier-than-thou principles in your private life, and cast your vote for the idiot that is going to do the least damage.