The foresight behind George Orwell’s book ‘1984’ was remarkable. Written in 1949, at that time it was deemed as kind of a loony sci-fi story about a country known as Oceania (in 1984) that had been controlled by an overbearing, paranoid government insistent on manipulating every aspect of the citizens’ lives. I imagine Orwell was considered somewhat of a Tim Burton for his time…

One reads that book today and can’t help but notice the striking similarities between Orwell’s story and our reality in 2016. As upside down as 1984 is, the world we live in is not too far off.

One of the main elements of 1984 was a deteriorating standard of living for the people, yet they were told by their commie government to believe it was of the highest quality. And by blocking out information from other regions of the world, the people believed the government. The citizenry were brainwashed into believing a false reality where 2+2 = 5, history was rewritten to corroborate the communist government’s lies, sex wasn’t pleasurable and was solely for the purpose of conception, and the only thing one could love was ‘Big Brother’ (the government). And, of course, any dissent was met with the harshest of punishments - you would be ‘vaporized’. In other words, no one would see you again.

Five Reasons 2016 is Akin to George Orwell’s 1984

History erased: In 1984, the key way Big Brother garnered so much power was by mind manipulation of the people. It ‘revised’ history - literally rewriting it to favor a communist agenda. World wars were erased from history, major inventions and other moments of human greatness, gone. As Churchill once said, “History will be kind to me for I intend to write it.”

Ask a group of American university students when the Declaration of Independence was written and the majority won’t have a clue. Ask them what the Confederate flag represents and the majority will likely tell you racism. Ask university students who Thomas Jefferson was and many won’t know. This is by design. Modern education is focused more on feelings and the various ‘genders’ than it is the history of the country. Despite history always repeating itself, it’s ignored or erroneously taught in the public education system. This creates a gullible and dependent society.

Against pleasure: In Orwell’s 1984, it was considered unacceptable to have sex for pleasure, to eat chocolate or have an alcoholic beverage of high quality. This was intended to keep people from seeking out life’s pleasures and possibly losing interest, and loyalty, in Big Brother.

Look at things today… we have ‘sin taxes’. We are forced to pay a penalty for purchasing alcohol, tobacco and for putting gas in our vehicles (carbon tax) because we are made to feel guilty for the damage we’ve apparently inflicted on the earth for trying to get to and from work each day. Even the size of soda drinks are regulated in some places…

Rationing of food and energy: In 1984, food and energy were rationed because, as in all communist nations, there wasn’t much supply. While the government would lie to its citizens and attempt to make them believe the quality of their food and drink was among the best, truth was it was horrible, lacking the necessary nutrients. And they frequently dealt with rolling blackouts.

Look at today… we are scolded by the government for driving big trucks and SUVs, for keeping our air conditioning on in the summer; and the quality of our food is worse than ever.

Take a road trip through America today and you notice traces of the 3rd world, yet politicians continue to boast about how great Americans have it.

Socialism and Communism Dominate: In 1984, Big Brother led a communist state that brainwashed its citizens into believing its version of government was the only way to maintain a high standard of living, despite historical contradictions (which they feverishly tried to rewrite in their favor).

Today, Venezuela, which is literally rationing the use of hair dryers and consumption of sugar, is a failed, broke state that thought socialism would save it. Nevertheless, one of the three remaining American presidential candidates (#feelthebern) is running on the same ideas responsible for Venezuela’s collapse. And he’s surging in popularity among Millennials! (indoctrinated in American universities)

Thought Police: In 1984, censorship was extreme. The country was filled with spies for Big Brother whose job was to infiltrate social groups and seek out dissenters of the party. People were imprisoned for thinking in a manner Big Brother didn’t approve of.

Look at today… censorship and spying are out of control. From Net Neutrality to Facebook suppressing Conservative content, we are being muzzled. What’s worse, US Attorney General Loretta Lynch stated in March that the DOJ has discussed prosecuting climate change deniers! Imagine - right or wrong - being charged for an opinion. Don’t forget about the NSA spying on billions of emails, phone calls and text messages of ordinary Americans… free speech is under attack.

At the time George Orwell’s 1984 was published it was considered a piece of sci-fi horror. Today, it’s not too far off from the world we live in. Governments across the globe continue to grow in size and authority. Read a copy for yourself and see just how striking some of the similarities are between our world and Orwell’s horror. Click here to get your copy.

Stay hungry,

Aaron

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