Mike's Place

By Michael L. Craner

I think I am going to grow my hair and beard long and shaggy, find some old clothes in the trash, and stand out on the street corner with a big sign, proclaiming “The End Is Near!” because in my opinion, it is, and that display would receive no less attention than any other method.

The world is in turmoil as we argue the merits or lack thereof of going to war. I have heard so many views, I no longer have a clue which decision would be the best.

One feeling I have has been growing ever stronger, and that is the fact that the people have lost their voices, and the governments are selling us out. Governments have turned deaf ears to their people, ignoring their protests and following their own agenda in our names. Even the countries who have been holding out in their support for war are only doing so as a bargaining chip for policy changes and economic/financial gains.

This is disgusting to me, to see these governments willing to sell their votes for profit rather than on the merit of issue. This means that the people who put them in power mean nothing to them. People like you and me.

One leader used the argument that if the other organization didn’t take action, the legitimacy of their organization would be in jeopardy. This was a very good point, but it goes much broader than it was intended.

If our world leaders continue to ignore the voice of their people, their own legitimacy will be in danger. And that, is VERY dangerous. In these critical times, the last thing the governments need is unrest and dissention within. They are counting on their people to remain passive and allow them to continue their tyrannous political games.

Is this the future we want for our children and grandchildren? A world where the national leaders serve only themselves and their own greed, without a thought or concern for wishes of their people who put them in power? If a government continuously acts against the will of its people, it is not a government FOR the people, regardless of their statements of “protecting the people.” Certain dictators of the past bent on world domination and control also acted under the guise of “best interests for the people," although they didn’t act under the will of the people.

I am not saying we shouldn’t go to war, nor am I saying we should. That is a matter that everyone should have a voice in, not just being allowed a voice, but a voice that is heard and counted.