Famine is Coming: History when Ignored Often Repeats
Economic Inequality and the Lessons We Fail to Learn
History is full of warnings—lessons etched in the annals of time about what happens when nations neglect their most vulnerable citizens. Yet, we often ignore these lessons, barreling forward with policies that exacerbate inequality, destabilize economies, and set the stage for widespread suffering.
Take, for example, the impact of major tax cuts in modern U.S. history, such as those enacted under Reagan, George W. Bush, and Trump. These tax cuts disproportionately benefited corporations and high-income earners while reducing government revenue. Though intended to stimulate economic growth, they instead ballooned deficits without equivalent spending cuts or new revenue streams.
The result? An increasingly fragile economic structure where the rich get richer, and the poor bear the brunt of austerity measures.
Historical Warnings
The period of severe famine and economic hardship lasted for several years before the instability and eventual revolution occurred.
We need only look to history to see where this trajectory leads. The French Revolution was preceded by years of economic mismanagement, growing inequality, and neglect of the lower classes.
By the late 1780s, France was in the grip of a severe famine brought on by poor harvests. In 1788 alone, agricultural failures devastated the nation. Food scarcity and skyrocketing grain prices culminated in the infamous bread riots of 1789, which became a catalyst for revolution. The phrase often attributed to Marie Antoinette, “Let them eat cake,” epitomizes the disconnect between the ruling elite and the suffering populace.
If you think America is immune to such outcomes, consider this: the same hubris that marked the French aristocracy exists today. The indifference to widespread suffering and the idolization of wealth are alarmingly familiar.
The Danger of Wealth Worship
Figures like Trump and Elon Musk embody this dangerous trend. Both men have ridden waves of public and private adoration despite records of mismanagement, exploitation, and failure. Musk’s economic policies and corporate culture have often been lauded despite evidence to the contrary. Trump's administration, meanwhile, prioritized tax cuts for the wealthy while rolling back vital social safety nets.
The danger isn’t just in their actions but in the societal structures that enable them. When wealth becomes synonymous with wisdom and power, nations risk losing sight of their moral compass.
The Path to Prosperity: Helping the Poor
History shows that when nations prioritize the well-being of their most vulnerable citizens, they thrive. America’s greatest periods of progress came not from corporate or military genius but from addressing the needs of the poor.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: In the depths of the Great Depression, Roosevelt’s New Deal introduced groundbreaking programs like Social Security, unemployment insurance, and public works projects. These initiatives provided stability and hope for millions of Americans.
Lyndon B. Johnson: The Great Society programs of the 1960s tackled poverty and racial injustice head-on. Medicare, Medicaid, and food assistance programs transformed the lives of marginalized communities, proving that investments in social welfare yield long-term benefits.
These leaders understood a simple truth: when the poor and marginalized are empowered, the entire nation prospers.
The American Church Has Lost Its Prophetic Voice
In times of crisis, the church has historically served as a moral compass, advocating for justice and compassion. Yet, today, much of the American church has grown silent—or worse, complicit. Rather than challenging systemic injustices, some align themselves with the wealthy and powerful, preaching prosperity theology that ignores the suffering of the poor.
The prophetic voice that once cried out for justice has been muted by political entanglements and cultural comfort. But the call to action remains:
To speak truth to power, even when it’s uncomfortable.
To advocate for policies that uplift the marginalized.
To remember the biblical mandate to care for the “least of these.”
A Final Warning
The signs are all around us: growing economic inequality, political instability, environmental degradation, and an indifference among the powerful to the suffering of the marginalized. Figures like Trump and Musk exemplify a worldview that prioritizes personal wealth and corporate gain over collective well-being. Their unwillingness to change, coupled with systems that enable their rise, leaves little hope for transformative leadership from the top.
But that does not mean change is impossible. While the wealthy may remain hard-hearted, history shows that movements of ordinary people can reshape the future. The marginalized, who often bear the brunt of systemic failures, must both push for change and prepare for the worst.
Famine is coming. The time to act is now. Build local networks of resilience. Advocate for policies that prioritize food security, sustainable agriculture, and economic justice. Support grassroots organizations working to empower vulnerable communities. And most importantly, plan for the storms ahead by fostering mutual aid, learning sustainable practices, and reclaiming the prophetic voice that cries out for justice.
Change will not come easily. But by standing together, even amidst hardship, we can create pockets of hope and resilience that light the way for a better future.
