Dan J. Harkey

Educator & Private Money Lending Consultant

Why Do We Tolerate Government Gaslighting?

From inflation metrics that understate the rising cost of living to wage statistics that don’t account for income inequality, the American public is routinely fed distorted data. The illusion of transparency is just that—an illusion. Behind the curtain lies a pattern of manipulation that critical thinkers must confront.

by Dan J. Harkey

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Summary

I recall a simpler time—cruising with friends on a dollar’s worth of gas at 15.9 cents per gallon. It was an era of innocence, captured in films like American Graffiti. We trusted voices like Wolfman Jack, who spoke honestly to us. Today, that trust has eroded, leaving us disillusioned with the government’s deceptive practices.

Overview:

Government deception is not new. It’s systemic, spanning decades and ideology. Whether liberal or conservative, most political actors now operate under a unified agenda—the preservation of power. The libertarian perspective, which I share, advocates for a smaller, less intrusive government. But to navigate today’s landscape, we must first understand the mechanisms of control.

Below are key resources and concepts to help you critically evaluate the information you’re given. Review these materials and reflect on the following ten principles:

Dan’s Ten Principles for Navigating Government Deception

  1. Verify Independently: Never accept government claims at face value. Seek independent sources to validate information.
  2. Recognize the Uni-Party: The liberal-conservative divide often masks a more profound political unity focused on control.
  3. Power Has No Limits: Government will expand its authority as far as the public allows.
  4. Awareness Over Rebellion: Understanding manipulation doesn’t require subversion, just vigilance. We must remain alert and aware to navigate the complex landscape of government deception.
  5. Historical Manipulation: Governments have long used religion, tribalism, and mysticism to control populations.
  6. Control Through Complexity: Taxes, regulations, and laws are tools of power, often leading to unrest when pushed too far.
  7. Daily Diligence: Despite systemic issues, personal effort and responsibility remain essential.
  8. Healthy Skepticism: Stay alert—not paranoid. Awareness is key to resilience.
  9. Cultural Anchoring: Hold fast to foundational values—language, borders, family, law, property rights, and personal accountability.
  10. Trust Your Instincts: Intuition is often your best defense against manipulation.

Recommended Resources

    Outright lies:

    https://scholar.law.colorado.edu/faculty-articles/54/

    https://knightcolumbia.org/events/government-lies

    https://english.news.cn/20230724/d54063206d6b417fb2ce7846c91806d9/c.html

    https://politicalscience.jhu.edu/faculty-books/the-american-lie-government-by-the-people-and-other-political-fables/

    Gaslighting:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslighting

    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/gaslighting

    https://www.newportinstitute.com/resources/mental-health/what_is_gaslighting_abuse/

    Creating illusions:

    https://www.academia.edu/59331332/Considering_Frederick_Crews_s_Freud_The_Making_of_an_Illusion_Reflections_on_Freud_and_Psychoanalysis_at_the_End_of_the_Biographical_Tradition

    https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/illusion-freedom-were-only-free-government-allows-john-whitehead

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7z26d8IsUc

    Propaganda:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda

    https://www.britannica.com/topic/propaganda

    https://guides.library.jhu.edu/evaluate/propaganda-vs-misinformation

    https://online.norwich.edu/online/about/resource-library/history-american-propaganda-posters-american-social-issues-through-propaganda

    https://www.historians.org/resource/the-story-of-propaganda/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays

    https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/08/eric-peters/are-they-lying-to-us-about-inflation/

    Final Thought
    Skepticism is not cynicism—it’s empowerment. In a world of curated narratives and institutional gaslighting, critical enquiry is your most valuable asset.