by Jose Nino
Girlfriends can be man’s most reliable partners, but at the same time, they can be man’s greatest nightmare. No man is complete without having his fair of bad relationships here and there. Some relations start out well and fizzle out, while others are just bad from start to finish. At times, a man must cut his losses and go his separate way once he has put up with too much abuse.
Since time immemorial, mankind has had to deal with good governments, mediocre governments, and absolutely awful governments. Like relationships, government’s interactions with citizens must come with certain boundaries and limits. If they are not followed, things will go south really fast.
There are many similarities between a government out of control and a girlfriend that has completely lost her marbles.
Let us begin:
#1. She’s High Maintenance
Every crazy girlfriend comes at a price. A steep one for sure. Expensive dates, random shopping sprees, overpriced gifts, unexpected vacations, etc. are all just part of this all-inclusive package to financial misery.
And what does this get you in return? Little to nothing.
Just like the crazy girlfriend, the State has its exorbitant maintenance costs. Public education, defense spending, entitlements, bureaucracy; someone has to foot the bill for all that crazy spending. In the end, you the taxpayer, must pay up. Rest assured, the government services you receive are third rate at best.
#2. She Reads your E-Mails and Texts. She Listens in On your Phone Calls
The NSA’s massive sneak and peak campaign into your emails and text messages is well documented. It’s only natural that a government out of control can waltz into your private affairs. Some things in your private life are worth hiding. Even the most innocuous of trivialities in your life could possibly get you an unexpected visit from the Feds or lead to accusations of “domestic extremism”.
Citizen beware.
#3. She Drags You Into Fights and Other Forms of Drama that Have Nothing to do With You
When going out, don’t be surprised if your kooky girlfriend tries to entangle you in fights with exes, girls she’s jealous of, and other people she has an axe to grind with. Like any chick that’s totally off her rocker, she expects you to step up and fight her battles. What do all of these third parties have in common?
You guessed it: THEY HAVE NOTHING TO WITH YOU. Her ego gets a boost, while you put your reputation and possible health (if things get physical) on the line.
Sounds a whole lot like US foreign policy these days. Wars with countries that we US citizens have no quarrel with, clandestine military operations, and CIA coups are just some of the notable ways that the American government tries to stick its nose into the affairs of other countries. All of this is done under the name of “national security”.
In reality, this is all about State security. Taxpayers and soldiers with no choice in this matter will be the ones assuming these costs, while the State wins. A zero-sum relationship at its finest.
#4. Give Her an Inch in the Relationship and She’ll Take the Whole Foot.
All relationships deal with certain degrees of finesse and class. A man must make certain concessions here and there. But like any arrangement between two parties, lines must be drawn.
You want to take some aerobic classes, but you cave into your partner’s demands so that she won’t get mad at you for not spending more time with her. Despite the fact that your physical shape is slowly deteriorating. But, hey, but she’ll still love for who you are, right?
You want to exercise financial restraint, but that Luis Vuitton purse looks so tempting to her. She begs and insists that you buy it for her. Despite all your warnings and objections to this spending, you yield and buy her the purse just to make her happy.
The aforementioned concessions may seem rather miniscule independently speaking, but they eventually add up. At a certain point, she will have complete control of you. Don’t be shocked if your girlfriend cheats on you or unexpectedly breaks up with you further down the line.
All those local smoke bans, licensing regulations, and food safety ordinances seem like trivial intrusions at first. But over time they grow into more comprehensive regulations and eventually turn into full-blown bureaucracies that control all aspects of your life.
Limits on government must be set. That little regulations that citizens overlook, can easily turn into a regulatory monstrosity if they continue to let the State surpass its boundaries.
#5. She Resorts to Ridiculous Hyperboles
A self-respecting man must do what’s right, even if it is unpopular or will no go well with his girlfriend. Sometimes you must call out your partner’s abusive and anti-social behavior. Don’t be surprised if she labels you a “jerk”, “asshole”, or “douchebag” for having the courage to stand up for yourself and set things straight.
Criticizing the government too much for its violations of economic liberties, civil liberties, and misguided foreign policy might just earn you the label of “extremist”. Make too much noise and you might be labeled as a “terrorist” or some type of threat to domestic security. Don’t be surprised if Uncle Sam pays you a visit or decides to listen in on all your means of communication.
As are the costs of standing up for yourself and your basic rights these days.
All in all, there comes a point where the abuses are too much and you clearly don’t benefit from the relation any longer. Both parties must separate and go their own ways. There are plenty of options out there, whether it be finding another partner or just enjoying the tranquility and the time for self-reflection that being single provides.
The American colonies were also part of a relationship, albeit a political one, with England. It first started out great, as England let the American colonies govern themselves and enjoy unprecedented liberties.
Eventually things soon went sour when England tried to assert its control over the colonies through taxation and heavy-handed security measures. After a serious of abuses and transgressions, colonists like the Founding Fathers had enough and decided to separate and form their own country.
Did this break-up signify perpetual hostility between the US and England? To the contrary, England and the US are still major trading partners and political allies in many other matters. As long as the partners understand the terms of the separation, they can still mingle and collaborate in the future. But when dealing with a more psychotic partner, it’s best to put that relationship to rest and break off all forms of contacts.
Be free my friends.