Dangers of the Slippery Slope

Sometimes the gradual implementation is more concerning than the spur of the moment. The spur of the moment action has less true forethought and can be brought into the light for response easier than the gradual action that has an implanted foothold. The gradual indoctrination and justification into anything can be slow, incremental, and of negligible concern until it is too late. The gradual chain of events and eventualities that branch from the slow and incremental implementation can have more forethought, be more insidious, and have stronger foundations than the spur of the moment action. These gradual or justifiable changes can be easily implemented as reactionary or precautionary measures. However, they often all have the same disastrous consequences as the spur of the moment actions.

It is the gradual acceptance and normalization of the extremes by the more moderate of us that is most dangerous. The gradual concessions to our core nature or the gradual indoctrination of beliefs or practices into the general public, which without the previous steps of indoctrination would be considered alarming, must be viewed with extreme scrutiny. We must be very cautious of steps that may seem to be necessary and appropriate at the time. Temporary solutions have a habit of becoming permanent out of convenience, fear, or self-promotion by a few, leading to their adoption by the many. We must also be cautious of those who may utilize these opportunities more for their own benefit rather than the benefit or safety of all. The excuses of the temporary can often be used for the justifications of the permanent.