 Home | Writings | Quotes | Links | ProbalismARTICLE8 July 2007 "But the trains ran on time!" While riding on a train in Italy, I couldn't help but remember a history lesson from school about Mussolini's Italy and how he was a cruel dictator, yet was famed for making the trains run on time. This thought stirred a connection between Mussolini's claim to fame or infamy and my observation that government interference is always harmful. The comment made by Italians everywhere, "But Mussolini made the trains run on time!" is a prime example of what happens when government is allowed to intervene in the economy and our lives. It amazes me how we accept what Mussolini did with the Italian trains as some superhuman feat when, in reality, it was and is a simple task performed routinely by the free-market every minute of every day. Yet, if a government entity or tyrant does it, we are expected to applaud it, worship them, and praise their sole tool for accomplishing tasks, the barbaric and antiquated use of force. As a matter of fact, government controlled schools and complicit corporate media assure that most people enthusiastically cheer any evil act the government proclaims as necessary to achieve its goals. So, let's examine the evil acts (use of force) the Italians tolerated and the rights they willingly surrendered to Mussolini and government in order for them to have the stellar reputation of having "made" the trains run on time: The Italians gave up free speech - yet the trains ran on time. They gave up their right to dissent and oppose government - yet the trains ran on time. Their guns were confiscated (stolen) and their right to self defense taken away - yet the trains ran on time. Private property was seized for the good of the state - yet the trains ran on time. People were thrown into prison based on lies or mere suspicion - yet the trains ran on time. Industry became subject to the whims of government (the military-industrial complex) instead of the people, who sacrificed and did without - yet the trains ran on time. Italian children were forced into military slavery (the draft) for the sole benefit of the government in order to subjugate its peaceful neighbors by force and fear - yet the trains ran on time. Government defined and labeled undesirables and ethnic groups were sent away in a timely manner by the timely trains to be "cleansed" - yet the trains ran on time. The government brought war and chaos to the Italian people, and when it was all over and their country lay in ruin, the Italians were asked, "Why did you tolerate all your rights being suppressed and your property stolen, allow your children to be enslaved and sent off to harm others, and allow your country to fall into chaos and ruin?" Their answer was always, "But the trains ran on time!" Here's a telling quote by the Italian ex-prime minister, written just as Mussolini took power: "The Fascist government abolished in Italy every safeguard of the individual and every liberty. No free man can live in Italy, and an immoral law prevents Italians from going to a foreign country on pain of punishment. Italy is a prison where life has become intolerable. Everything is artificial - artificial finance - artificial exchange - artificial public economy - artificial order - artificial calm. Without a free parliament, a free press and free opinion there will never be peace." - Francesco Nitti, 1929 So, the next time the government wants to intervene in the economy, society and our lives - claiming it can "make" something better by using force - just ask yourself, "What will it truly cost me?" If in doubt, simply look to Mussolini's Italy as an example. He may have "made" the trains run on time, but boy, what a cost to the people! Just remember, if you allow government intervention and it goes awry (as it always does), will you want to justify any loss of your liberty, property and life like the Italians by uttering a ridiculous phrase like, "But the trains ran on time!"?
(other articles are archived on my Writings page.) Rebecca Iocca |
