👏👏👏 Aaron, phenomenal work here! So many things that I wanted to touch on, so here we go:
1. Discipline is needed! Without discipline, we fall into hedonism— and unfortunately, we’ve become a hedonistic society. We’re “free” to do whatever they want.
4. Lastly, I just created a guide to help us get back to our spirituality, that ancient wisdom you mention. Once we understand this and can connect with our fellow human, then, we can stand up and overthrow these tyrants — by being the best humans we can be; ruled by liberty, not freedom: https://unorthodoxy.gumroad.com/l/besthuman
This bill has to be a disappointment to anyone that voted for Trump. It is business as usual. We don’t want that. We want the swamp drained. And Trump started off so strong. Migrants being deported! No men in women’s sports! The Gulf of America. (Most of that coast is ours!) Equal tariffs! No taxes on social security! End the Ukraine War! A spending bill that adds trillions to our debt? Elon is right. It negates everything Trump has done so far? Someone tell me why? By the way, I love “Captains of the Wagon Circlers!”
Aaron, I'm glad that Jessica provides a platform for your insightful observations and ideas. There is a lot of meat on the bones for those of us who share your curiosity about everything. Your story about your Dad and his questions to your friends and love interests resonated with my own experiences growing up.
There is much to consider in your essay - but one thought that occurred to me is that especially in the last 50 - 60 years, as the federal government has grown in scope (and spending) it has become by definition increasingly removed from the will of the citizens it is supposed to serve. That in turn has caused many if not most citizens to conclude that even if they vote for president and their congressional representatives, they have almost no way to exert influence in how governance happens in DC.
This last election is probably the closest we've been in decades to the exertion of any meaningful influence - at least in the Executive Branch. Even at that it's pretty limited given the role of the Judicial and Legislative branches. That disconnect has led to apathy and a sense that one's personal opinion has no real influence or bearing on governance. That is at the core of how unhealthy our political system is - and it will take a very long time and a lot of will to change those conditions. We've only begun that journey - and there will undoubtedly be many missteps even if it is ultimately successful in returning influence to our citizens.
It sounds to me like you had an interesting upbringing and parents to thank for critical thinking. Elon and Trump certainly have me confused. Let’s hope Liberty wins.
Really great essay but depressing too, as the leviathan is so huge, the “leaders” & so many of the citizenry so corrupt that a return to liberty seems impossible. And thus we arrive at the equation “freedom” = slavery & too many are satisfied with that, as long as they’re getting a piece of the action.
Pilgrims Progress (John Bunyon) application here: When Christian and Hopeful veered off course from the Way to the By-Way, they stumbled into Disgruntled Giant territory. They chose freedom over liberty, the Big Easy over the faithfully responsible. Christian/Elon is tormented by the Disgruntled Giant of our Legislature and, dissolutioned, is now using his nuclear keys to escape from Trump's Big Beautiful Castle. It was a trap he was naively lured into!
I pray that as this brouhaha dust settles, he/we can finds a better key to walk in liberty, die to self, and collectively regain our crowns, holding close to Hope for a more perfect union if not now, when we reach the Celestial Gates!
We’re seeing this in our local government. A small town- the citizens just want to stay quaint and keep our farming town a farming town. Development after development taking our farm land to line the pockets of a very few in our county. We fought hard to keep a rendering plant out of our county in 2022 and one man in government went behind everyone’s back and approved it in shady ways three years later. He has been asked to step down and is too pompous to do so. The men that rule these days are weak and stand for nothing but self gain.
I’d love to hear the story of this. I think it’s going to take real people telling the stories of their dysfunctional towns to start waking up the masses. Those of us who don’t write, can share. @pdxreal is one of my favorite truth tellers exposing the government malfeasance in what was one of the most beautiful towns in the world (Portland, OR) now turned into a dumpster fire of human waste.
Well done, I thoroughly enjoyed this. We are interpreting the Founders documents without the foundation for understanding their mental frameworks. And our “experts” do the same. And we see the results.
Re Elawn I always hear Levon from Elton John:
And Elawn, Elawn likes his monaaayy
I do think it’s tragic that the opportunity that DOGE presented by identify the scandalous fraud and waste is being squandered. But Elawn would have made his case better by sticking with that instead of descending into his 13 year old screed. Weakened his case.
There is so much here! I think I am Team Elon on this one however let's not forget he is not an elected official. Thomas Massie and Rand Paul are the two voices on the Republican side voicing their concerns about it adding trillions to the national debt. They just aren't loud enough. Elon has X and he's screaming. If it passes Republicans will be held accountable and may very well pay the price at the mid-terms.
Aaron-great article.Donald and Elon are flawed as all humans are.If you asked if I wanted to have a beer with either I would rather enjoy the suds with my brother or my wife.The Big Beautiful Bill is what it is because Americans are not prepared for any discomfort let alone any suffering which is part and parcel of the human condition.As Milton Freedman said,”A recession is when my neighbor loses his job and a depression is when I lose mine.”I am a practical optimist but this “spent and be happy” business will continue until the the pain of needed change is less than the pain of the present quagmire.In other words things must get a lot worse before people decide for the pain of rectification of the problem.It is the human condition propelled by our selfishness.
Damn- Aaron’s writings could not be suited for a better place and time. Thank you for your work.
Thank you so much. I never know if my strange nerdy writing will resonate so I always appreciate when someone likes it!
👏👏👏 Aaron, phenomenal work here! So many things that I wanted to touch on, so here we go:
1. Discipline is needed! Without discipline, we fall into hedonism— and unfortunately, we’ve become a hedonistic society. We’re “free” to do whatever they want.
2. Thanks for calling out that you and I are not the government— we have tyrants as governments. When we truly understand the individuals writing these laws, then we know who the enemies are: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/understanding-the-ruling-class-of
3. The ancient perspective is 1,000% needed! In our society, we’ve become “ahistorical” — a people without a history: https://unorthodoxy.substack.com/p/the-rise-of-the-ahistorical-human
4. Lastly, I just created a guide to help us get back to our spirituality, that ancient wisdom you mention. Once we understand this and can connect with our fellow human, then, we can stand up and overthrow these tyrants — by being the best humans we can be; ruled by liberty, not freedom: https://unorthodoxy.gumroad.com/l/besthuman
Great work man! Loved to read this!
This bill has to be a disappointment to anyone that voted for Trump. It is business as usual. We don’t want that. We want the swamp drained. And Trump started off so strong. Migrants being deported! No men in women’s sports! The Gulf of America. (Most of that coast is ours!) Equal tariffs! No taxes on social security! End the Ukraine War! A spending bill that adds trillions to our debt? Elon is right. It negates everything Trump has done so far? Someone tell me why? By the way, I love “Captains of the Wagon Circlers!”
Aaron, I'm glad that Jessica provides a platform for your insightful observations and ideas. There is a lot of meat on the bones for those of us who share your curiosity about everything. Your story about your Dad and his questions to your friends and love interests resonated with my own experiences growing up.
There is much to consider in your essay - but one thought that occurred to me is that especially in the last 50 - 60 years, as the federal government has grown in scope (and spending) it has become by definition increasingly removed from the will of the citizens it is supposed to serve. That in turn has caused many if not most citizens to conclude that even if they vote for president and their congressional representatives, they have almost no way to exert influence in how governance happens in DC.
This last election is probably the closest we've been in decades to the exertion of any meaningful influence - at least in the Executive Branch. Even at that it's pretty limited given the role of the Judicial and Legislative branches. That disconnect has led to apathy and a sense that one's personal opinion has no real influence or bearing on governance. That is at the core of how unhealthy our political system is - and it will take a very long time and a lot of will to change those conditions. We've only begun that journey - and there will undoubtedly be many missteps even if it is ultimately successful in returning influence to our citizens.
It sounds to me like you had an interesting upbringing and parents to thank for critical thinking. Elon and Trump certainly have me confused. Let’s hope Liberty wins.
Damn, Aaron! Damn. I could not agree more. I align with this post 100%.
And man, do I love Thomas Jefferson. That was a man who was always seeking knowledge. Always.
Thank you. Great post. Gosh. I have goosebumps!
Sounds like your Dad was a pretty neat guy. I love that your mom wanted to be a mom. That is and always has been my dream job.
Good people.
Really great essay but depressing too, as the leviathan is so huge, the “leaders” & so many of the citizenry so corrupt that a return to liberty seems impossible. And thus we arrive at the equation “freedom” = slavery & too many are satisfied with that, as long as they’re getting a piece of the action.
Profound and clear and true. Oh may God help us still!!!
Pilgrims Progress (John Bunyon) application here: When Christian and Hopeful veered off course from the Way to the By-Way, they stumbled into Disgruntled Giant territory. They chose freedom over liberty, the Big Easy over the faithfully responsible. Christian/Elon is tormented by the Disgruntled Giant of our Legislature and, dissolutioned, is now using his nuclear keys to escape from Trump's Big Beautiful Castle. It was a trap he was naively lured into!
I pray that as this brouhaha dust settles, he/we can finds a better key to walk in liberty, die to self, and collectively regain our crowns, holding close to Hope for a more perfect union if not now, when we reach the Celestial Gates!
Plus, in a post-Christian society, I fear we can’t get back to a more perfect union.
We’re seeing this in our local government. A small town- the citizens just want to stay quaint and keep our farming town a farming town. Development after development taking our farm land to line the pockets of a very few in our county. We fought hard to keep a rendering plant out of our county in 2022 and one man in government went behind everyone’s back and approved it in shady ways three years later. He has been asked to step down and is too pompous to do so. The men that rule these days are weak and stand for nothing but self gain.
I’d love to hear the story of this. I think it’s going to take real people telling the stories of their dysfunctional towns to start waking up the masses. Those of us who don’t write, can share. @pdxreal is one of my favorite truth tellers exposing the government malfeasance in what was one of the most beautiful towns in the world (Portland, OR) now turned into a dumpster fire of human waste.
Good gravy, I really appreciate your contributions here.
Thank you. This one’s a monster🤣
Never tire of reading your articles Aaron. Thanks for this thoughtful piece has me thinking I need to go read Aristotle.
Well done, I thoroughly enjoyed this. We are interpreting the Founders documents without the foundation for understanding their mental frameworks. And our “experts” do the same. And we see the results.
Re Elawn I always hear Levon from Elton John:
And Elawn, Elawn likes his monaaayy
I do think it’s tragic that the opportunity that DOGE presented by identify the scandalous fraud and waste is being squandered. But Elawn would have made his case better by sticking with that instead of descending into his 13 year old screed. Weakened his case.
There’s a decent chance this is the first most people have ever heard of George Wythe which is a shame because he’s so important to the founding.
I was reading about Jefferson’s education last week, knew he went to William and Mary but I didn’t connect Wythe immediately.
You might like my article on Jefferson’s improvised laptop and handheld devices. He had hard core systems in place for learning. https://culturalcourage.substack.com/p/no-safety-net-no-internet-jeffersons
Jr high history is all we know. It makes us live dangerously with our trusts of government.
Great writing! Really enjoy your work.
thank you susanna
There is so much here! I think I am Team Elon on this one however let's not forget he is not an elected official. Thomas Massie and Rand Paul are the two voices on the Republican side voicing their concerns about it adding trillions to the national debt. They just aren't loud enough. Elon has X and he's screaming. If it passes Republicans will be held accountable and may very well pay the price at the mid-terms.
Aaron-great article.Donald and Elon are flawed as all humans are.If you asked if I wanted to have a beer with either I would rather enjoy the suds with my brother or my wife.The Big Beautiful Bill is what it is because Americans are not prepared for any discomfort let alone any suffering which is part and parcel of the human condition.As Milton Freedman said,”A recession is when my neighbor loses his job and a depression is when I lose mine.”I am a practical optimist but this “spent and be happy” business will continue until the the pain of needed change is less than the pain of the present quagmire.In other words things must get a lot worse before people decide for the pain of rectification of the problem.It is the human condition propelled by our selfishness.
I completely agree