Author draws an analogy between the book “The Devil’s Advocate” and the current situation in Mexico

Mexican author Oscar Edgar Hernández draws an analogy between the book “The Devil’s Advocate” and the current situation in Mexico under the control of the Morena political party and its movement known as “4T”.

In his book “The Devil’s Advocate” (1952), Taylor Caldwell describes a society that fell not because of a war, but because of its own apathy.

He narrates how a dictatorship was installed “democratically” by dividing the people. Caldwell recounts that they first went after the peasants: they promised them subsidies in exchange for control of their land. They lost their freedom, but the merchants said nothing; they thought: “As long as I keep selling, it’s their problem.”

Then, the government went after the merchants. When they cried out for help, the peasants (already subjugated) didn’t lift a finger. And so, sector by sector, everyone fell because no one defended anyone.

Today I look at Mexico and feel a chill. Look at what’s happening with the reforms to the National Water Law.

The idea is clear: TOTAL control of water is being transferred to the Federal government.

What does this mean in practice? That self-sufficiency is over.

If tomorrow your neighbor doesn’t have piped water because the system failed (as it always does), they will no longer be able to drill a well to survive. It will be prohibited. They will become 100% dependent on the drop the State decides to give them… or take away.

And this is where Caldwell’s trap comes in: Many will say today, “Well, I do have water; that’s a problem for those who own ranches or land.”

That’s the mistake. By allowing the State to have a monopoly on survival (water, electricity, food), we are surrendering our freedom. When the State is the only one that gives you something to drink, it is also the only one that decides when you are thirsty.

History teaches us that indifference is the lifeblood of absolute regimes. We protect our small patch of momentary well-being, without understanding that by ignoring the control over our neighbor, we are signing our own death warrant.

If you want to understand where this total dependence and lack of empathy are leading us, I recommend reading “The Devil’s Advocate” by Taylor Caldwell. It was written over 70 years ago, but it seems like it was written today, judging by our news.

“A wise man distrusts his neighbor. A wiser man distrusts both his neighbor and himself. The wisest man of all distrusts his government.”

Source: Oscar Edgar Hernandez Facebook page

San Miguel Post