IFTOG is an acronym meaning "It's for their own good", the sister phrase
to IFYOG, "It's for your own good", both having the identical outcome; inordinate
scrutiny and unsolicited meddling in the affairs of free men, otherwise known by the
dread term; tyranny. The one exception; parents, who employ this modus vivendi frequently,
and rightly so.
IFTOGers have been around since the first stirrings of fallen man. Some genius always
comes along and assumes his brilliance in some field, usually the science of self-
agrandizement, otherwise known as politics, justifies him to superimpose his grand
scheme on our lives.
Most often, the IFTOG crusade of the moment is a plan to save lives, or protect us of from
a catastophic illnes, or some other real or imagined peril. Many times the laws they pass
are to protect us from ourselves, like the seatbelt laws.
I've said it before; Freedom is a risky business, for by the very definition of SELF-DETERMINATION,
we have the God given right to chart our own course, deal with problems our own problems, and face
perils with our own wits and resources.
Who can argue that it would be wonderful to have a benevolent government that would bail us out
of every quagmire into which we fall, either by our own foolishness, or by circumstances that we
cannot control? The problem is, inevitably we invite micro-management of our lives when we
avail ourselves of government handouts.
It goes with the territory, for government holds itself accountable for the goodies it disperses,
and while that may be a desirable motive in spending taxpayer's funds, it is parlayed into
undue meddling when the Feds set out to ensure that the recipients of public monies must pass
their litmus test.
OK, so even the ruthless prying into our personal affairs is tolerable, for the benefit of
financial assistance, butit doesn't stop there. In effect, to qualify for Federal assistance
they demand a measure of control over your life.
Take medicare, or Social Security for example. You can get the benefits, if you are suffering
from a financial crisis, but if you make more than $800 a week you can't have them. So a job
offering may happen by, and it pays $850 a week. Good pay, no?
Not as good as the high dollar figures that a family can recieve for dental and medical care,
food stamps, and financial assistance. So what do you do? Well millions of Americans opt
for the assistance. It's more secure, on time, and backed by infinite resources. Besides,
it's easier to come by than an honest pay check.
In the final analysis, we have to decide what we want, freedom, or an alternative? Be
careful in your decision, as freedom means we're on our own. The question is, how
precious is your freedom to you? If you feel about it as I do, having my liberty is
worth suffering from my bad judgement, going into debt to pay the dentist, if necessary.
My source of benefits has even more assets than the government of The United States. What's
more, His word is infinitely more reliable than the Fed's. It is His will that we live
free, without the fetters of crusading law makers and judges. Our faith in Him, to provide
whatever we need, is assurance enough for me that all things emanate from our Lord, and
if we must bear adversity, then He means for us to bear up under it.
God in His love has set about to train us for better things, spiritual things, that have
no comparison to the trappings of this world. Those things require that we have tremendous
capacity. He doesn't dispense spiritual capital to those who will be distracted by such
wealth. Unless they have His Word, they have not the eyes to see. All the wealth of the
Universe is laid at their feet, and they know not.
God save us from the IFTOG People!