Have we lost our voice?
The following quote was found in Senator Robert Byrd's"Losing America":
"Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farming in one piece.? Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship."
At this point the interviewer asserts: "There is one difference. In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare war."
The response: "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 tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." Hermann Goering, quoted in the Nuremberg Diary (1946) by G. M. Gilbert. (Goering was Hilter’s designated successor.)
Since, World War II, Congress has avoided discharging, its Constitutional responsibility to declare war. Prior to the invasion of Iraq, Senator Byrd pointed out: "We stand passively mute in the Senate...only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there...discussion of the prudence..of engaging in this particular war." Thus; members of Congress avoided being labeled unpatriotic or weak on defense. Have we lost our voice? Was Goering correct about democracy?
"Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farming in one piece.? Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship."
At this point the interviewer asserts: "There is one difference. In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare war."
The response: "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 tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country." Hermann Goering, quoted in the Nuremberg Diary (1946) by G. M. Gilbert. (Goering was Hilter’s designated successor.)
Since, World War II, Congress has avoided discharging, its Constitutional responsibility to declare war. Prior to the invasion of Iraq, Senator Byrd pointed out: "We stand passively mute in the Senate...only on the editorial pages of our newspapers is there...discussion of the prudence..of engaging in this particular war." Thus; members of Congress avoided being labeled unpatriotic or weak on defense. Have we lost our voice? Was Goering correct about democracy?
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