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02/05/2006:

"The Failure of Citizenship"

by Charles Sullivan
...We are witnessing an all pervasive mediocrity in government that has come as a result of a spectacular failure of citizenship. We are a people that value ease and convenience over self education, sacrifice and truth. We do not demand evidence in support of our views. We believe what we are told; and we do what we are told by authority. We do not like to make trouble. Asking questions requires self examining critical thinking, a skill that is rapidly disappearing from our culture of fluff and ease. We want the kind of life where the decisions are made for us—a life that does not place demands upon us. We want to be entertained, not informed by burdensome truths that may assault our conscience and cause psychological injury. That is dangerous knowledge because it would dispel the myths about what America really is. It would force us to think differently about who we are as a people. We would see us as the rest of the world sees us.
informationclearinghouse.info

I understand the horror and anger. I share it. But I don't think 'hitting the streets day after day' is going to do it. I think we have to acknowledge that 'the people' never have run this country, counter to all the rhetoric. National strikes are not in our repertoire, nor is massive tax revolt. I wonder what citizenship has ever really meant here. I'm afraid the American people are in for a huge shock, and those of us who won't be shocked are along for the ride anyway.