Problem. Reaction. Solution.

Problem. Reaction. Solution.

A trick governments, big corporations, whoever holds power turns on people all of the time it seems. The game? First, they create a problem. Then, they sit back and wait for us to freak out. When the panic hits its peak, they come waltzing in with a solution, all polished and ready. But here's the catch: the solution usually fixes nothing. Instead, it tightens their grip.

Take New York City's congestion pricing for example. They claim it's to reduce traffic and help the environment. But, for years, they've been narrowing roads, adding bike lanes and pedestrian plazas, and blocking off streets. Traffic got worse. Cars crawled, emissions increased because vehicles are idling longer, and people got frustrated. That's the reaction they wanted. And their solution? Charge drivers more money to use the same congested streets they made worse. It's like setting a fire and then charging people to use the emergency exit.

This isn't just a New York thing. Look at the housing crisis in cities like San Francisco. They put in place zoning laws and building restrictions that make it nearly impossible to build new homes. Surprise, surprise—there's a housing shortage. Rent goes through the roof. People are desperate. What's the solution? Government-subsidized housing and rent control. Sounds helpful, but these fixes often make things worse or add new problems. Meanwhile, the government gains more control over housing.

The 2008 financial crisis? Banks made reckless loans, betting on risky mortgages. The bubble burst. Everyone panicked. The same big banks that caused the crash got bailed out. They got billions, while regular folks lost their homes. Problem. Reaction. Solution. The banks messed up, we paid the price, and they came out stronger.

Think bigger—after 9/11, the government said, "We need to keep you safe." People were scared and angry. The solution? The Patriot Act. It gave the government massive surveillance powers, letting them watch us like hawks. Did it make us safer? Maybe. But it also stripped away a ton of our privacy, and those powers didn't go away when the fear faded.

The pattern is everywhere. They create the mess, we react, and they clean it up in a way that benefits them. It's not about keeping us safe or solving problems. It's about control.

So next time a crisis pops up, don't just ask, "How do we fix this?" Ask, "Who benefits?" Was it avoidable? Why does the solution feel so ready, like they had it waiting in their back pocket? The more we question, the harder it is for them to keep running the same old scam.

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on various issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com.