The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, was famously proclaimed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt when he took office in 1933. The problem is, it wasn’t true. In fact, it wasn’t even close to being true.

America and the world plunged into the Great Depression for a variety of reasons and remained there much longer than needed because of government planners and schemers who thought they could use big government to make it go away.

But it didn’t.

World War II came along more than a decade after it began and finally America was able to rise above the disastrous period of economic devastation. One wonders if we are near a watershed moment today. Markets are erupting and collapsing. Rising and falling with the velocity of a roller coaster with no brakes.

Uncertainty has finally taken over in many circles. The fear that’s taking ahold of the markets is oozing out from the spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus. One of the problems we face is with supply chains. If they are stopped because factories in China and South Korea are closed what kind of trickle down effect will this have on industry in America? This kind of shutdown stops parts from being made and when parts stop moving, it creates blockages that trigger layoffs that lead to a slump in consumer confidence and spending. Pretty soon you are looking a economy wide stagnation and possibly a world recession.

And what are you hearing over and over? Don’t panic. It’s no big deal, its nothing more than the flu. That may be the case but then why are so many governments and institutions seemingly in panic mode already? Do they know something we don’t?

I cannot answer that question. But I can tell you this, we have a lot more to fear than fear itself. Economic upheaval led to FDR’s New Deal that led America into the icy grips of socialism and the administrative state. This kind of fear mongering, whether it is well founded or not, can lead to very dangerous consequences.

These kinds of events can lead to a fundamental change in our nation.

There will be no better time to put Americans into the bondage of “Medicare for All” than during some real or perceived health crisis. “We must protect ourselves and those around us from not getting medical care,” they will proclaim. “We must protect the children,” will also be among the most popular refrains.

So, let me say this- be very careful about what kind of socialist snake oil you buy from some politician ‘looking out for you’ and passing themselves off as Dr. Feelgood in the midst of some perceived medical and economic crisis. I mean how many crises have we already gone through this week alone? After all, just about everything is a crisis and deserves a breaking news headline. Just turn on TV and look.

You have been warned.