Always looking to blame others

Blaming others and institutions seems in vogue these days. It’s “they,” “them,” and government or the system that is the source of our woes, that prevents our own success or makes life more difficult.

The more we accept that, the faster we are headed to mediocrity.

Those feelings show up a bit differently depending on the setting, but the underlying psychology is the same—protect identity, reduce discomfort, and simplify complex situations.

It shows up regularly in meetooism when one person is criticized but defenders point out that another person did the same thing in the past as if that excuses the inappropriate actions of another.

There is no they or them as entities. There is no government as a thing capable of independent action. All of those are us, you, me and everyone else in society. Government doesn’t take from you, doesn’t work scams on you, doesn’t steal your money for a nefarious purpose.

Of course, the obvious is nothing is free.

Government is millions of fellow citizens working to make society function under laws and regulations that make it all work for 340 million people each with their own idea of success, abilities and resources.

No society can exist without a government. No society can exist solely with each individual acting independently, empowered or not and no society ever existed without some form of taxes no matter what you call them.

“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” “This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants… Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes…”

We may be the subject of uncontrollable misfortune at times, but far more often our life is the result of our decisions – actions or inactions.

Spending for immediate gratification, failure to consider the longer term, debt and lack of patience all work against us.