Inertia (and the State) Are Your Enemies

Just yesterday, I ran into a guy on Facebook who says he now wants to “get more involved.”

What, more involved in local charities? In philanthropy? In offering pro bono services to people who need them?

Of course not. More involved in politics. We must “shout and demand what we feel people need.”

So more petitions. More candlelight vigils. More sign-waving. More get-out-the-vote activism. More stomping his feet.

I told him: screw that.

Knowing he was a progressive, I spoke in language he might actually hear:

“See, ‘shout and demand’ is the problem. Why not volunteer and actually help real people, instead of shouting and demanding? We have plenty of that. We have precious little of real, honest, sacrificial giving of time and resources.

“Getting involved in the political process is itself the problem. It attracts the very worst in society. And it’s just a middleman. There’s nothing government does that you can’t do with your friends as a volunteer, and much better and with more love.”

His response:

“So the answer is to take no part at all? That seems like a way to not get what you want.”

My answer:

“It seems like a way not to waste huge amounts of time on evil. Go out there and DO SOMETHING.

“Great example: the DonorSee app. Guy just launched it last month. If you want to donate to a good cause around the world, you get to see specific needs. Here’s a guy who needs a wheelchair. Here’s a widow in Malawi who needs a house. Then, when the thing you donate to is complete, you get a notification on your phone with a picture, a note, etc. No corrupt governments involved, no aid agencies taking 40% of your donation.

“See what I mean? DO SOMETHING. Screw the politicians. DO SOMETHING. Don’t sign any more petitions or hold any signs or have candlelight vigils. Those are easy and make you feel good about yourself, and accomplish nothing. Screw that. DO SOMETHING.”

Biggest enemy of independent thought: inertia.

Just doing things the way they’ve always been done. We need something accomplished? Why, let’s turn to the government!

Or how about the people demanding $15 an hour at McDonald’s who say, “I’ve been working here for 10 years and haven’t gotten a raise!”

TEN YEARS at McDonald’s without a raise? Is that even possible?

More importantly, what have you been doing for ten years? Learning a new skill at night? Working your tail off for something better? Having any ambition at all?

Inertia.

If you’re here and/or on my list, you are anti-inertia.

Just because the biweekly paycheck is how we’ve always lived, doesn’t mean it’s how we have to live. At the very least, we can supplement it, as I’ve done for over 15 years.

Even at retirement age, my mom figured out how to earn commissions when people click her Amazon links. That income sure doesn’t hurt.

Here’s how:

https://www.happyearner.com/mom

In two days, that video disappears forever.

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