Editor,
As each day goes by, I find it more difficult to restrain my abject frustration at the profound apathy and ignorance of the American people in the face of ever more oppressive and incompetent leadership.
Clearly, we have either learned nothing from history, or the vast majority of people really don't mind watching their whole society crumble to dust around them. I find it hard to believe there are that many people who are happy with our once-wealthy nation being systematically looted by a morally corrupt and criminal ruling class set on utterly destroying our way of life.
Is the short-term amassing of material wealth really more important than securing the survival of our civilization? Don't the elitists have children? What kind of future does insurmountable debt and endless war offer to the next generation?
I have discussed this appalling situation for years now with anyone who would listen, and I have yet to find an acceptable answer as to why people aren't willing to rise up and take back control of their country or their own fate.
What is it going to take before people wake up and demand justice? Screw it - we get what we deserve, I guess. Below are some choice quotes I hope will inspire some of the Daily Lobo readers to begin questioning the motives of the leaders we seem to put so much faith in:
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"This and no other is the root from which a tyrant springs; when he first appears he is a protector." - Plato
"If tyranny and oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy." - President James Madison
"Terrorism is the best political weapon, for nothing drives people harder than a fear of sudden death." - Adolph Hitler
"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." - Hermann Goering, Nazi leader
Does any of this sound even slightly familiar? The people who hate our freedoms aren't the terrorists. The people who hate our freedoms are the ones making the laws that are taking our freedoms away right now.
It's time to wake up. On second thought, never mind - there's always "American Idol," not to mention iPods, cell phones, high-speed wireless Internet, MTV and skateboards. And don't forget attitude - lots and lots of attitude. Go back to sleep, America - your government has all the answers. You are free - free to do as you are told.
Jason Darensburg
UNM staff
