Hate and power are threats
As an American, I believe that our nation is in great danger. The danger does not come from Russia, North Korea, China or even ISIS. The danger is hate and power. I believe we are as divided today as at any time in our history.
Hate is defined as feeling a strong dislike for or hostility toward someone or something. The word hate is found in the Bible 87 times. There is good hate and a hate that is wrong. We are to hate what is evil, but we are not to hate people.
After this past election, the hate that is being expressed in the country is wrong. The news and social media are full of hate. Walls are being built by hate. They are tall and thick. They are easy to build, but almost impossible to tear down. The Bible says that “hate stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs.”
The other threat is power, or the loss of it. I once said to someone that power is just as addictive as any drug. He asked how I knew that. After a little research, I found that I was correct. Science has found that what I said was true.
The feeling of power has been found to have a similar effect on the brain as cocaine by increasing the levels of testosterone and its byproduct, 3a-Androstanediol in both men and women. This, in turn, leads to raised levels of dopamine, and this can be very addictive.
What I have seen is politicians fighting to regain power. Now I know why. This is another threat to our nation. This is a scientific reason for term limits.
Abraham Lincoln said, “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” I would alter that statement by saying the greater test is when power is taken from him.
David Vukmanic
Spraggs