By MamaLiberty
In the “news” today I found this article, and I can’t help but comment. More Americans suffering from stress, anxiety and depression, study finds…
The author dances around a number of things that could contribute to the problems, but no mention is made of the most logical and obvious.
The core problem is Cognitive dissonance: Mental stress or discomfort experienced by an individual who holds two or more contradictory beliefs, ideas, or values at the same time.
Included are the things so many have been taught to believe that are simply not part of reality. Some of these things are the false “rights” to control other people and their property – for example, a “right” to a certain job, wage, living conditions, etc. All of the things some people believe they can somehow force everyone else to think and do. The current wars, political power fights, and the PC insanity about race and sex lead that parade.
When you believe something, yet see clear proof that it is not true or right, you have some choices… You can accept the reality and seek to learn the truth, releasing the false belief. Or you eventually break down into this “mental illness” which so often leads to self destruction or violence against others.
The desire to control others, the lust for power and the willingness to destroy both themselves and others in order to gain that power… This is the root of the evil, and the worst addiction in the world. And, in the end, no amount of “insurance” or mental health “help” will make any difference until that addiction is both recognized and relinquished.
Think about it.
The Price of Liberty 
You proposed a solution, the “addiction” to power must be “both recognized and relinquished.”
That is an over-generalization that is neat, plausible, and wrong. Not all depression, stress, and mental illness is caused by the desire to “control other people and their property.” Probably not even a preponderance.
It is a gross generalization to say that stress and depression is caused by the inflicted having “the desire to control others, the lust for power and the willingness to destroy both themselves and others in order to gain that power.” A parent with an ill child, with other children to feed, clothe, and shelter, facing a possible layoff, could become stressed. Getting laid off could be depressing. Instead of wanting “the desire to control others, the lust for power and the willingness to destroy both themselves and others in order to gain that power,” perhaps the problem is more a feeling of helplessness, of powerlessness, of not having control over their own life. Big difference.
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Well, Cal… you obviously can choose for yourself. I think I mentioned that. 🙂
Human beings have an almost infinite desire to justify and rationalize everything. Be my guest.
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So, you make a broad statement of dubious value, then evade further discussion when someone points out your flawed, dogmatic reasoning. I expected better from you.
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Cal, you can write an article for me detailing your thinking and rationale. I’ll be glad to publish it and comment on it. In the meantime, I have learned from hard experience doing this blog that it is counterproductive to enter into arguments with those who comment. Everyone is responsible for themselves, ultimately. The cognitive dissonance is believing that anything and everything should be or must be someone else’s responsibility, someone else’s fault.
Of course there are many things in this rough life that are sad, bad and depressing. None of those problems are solved by making excuses or blaming others. That’s the “control” of others I was talking about. It’s hard to write about such complex subjects in a blog format, but even libraries full of books won’t do any good if the basic premise of self control, self government and self responsibility are ignored.
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This over-generalization reminds me of the Mencken adage that there is always a solution to every human problem—neat, plausible, and wrong.
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Not sure what you mean here, Cal. Identification of problems is not the same as indicating an ideal solution. Nothing in human nature is perfect, but there are certainly ideas that have stood the test of time.
The definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over, expecting different results. Trying to live with conflicting beliefs, values and goals is very much the same sort of insanity. It’s not too hard to figure out a rational solution to those things, but each person must choose for themselves in the long run.
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