Afraid of things that never happen

I'm worried for our country. Worried because a significant number of its people believe that its government is its enemy. And a smaller, yet still significant - and growing - number, believe that it's even necessary to assemble an armed militia to oppose it. And I'm worried most of all because there isn't an overwhelming outcry against these extreme views.

Ours is the greatest country in the world, but fear dominates our political process. What's changed so dramatically that we allow others to preach the overthrow of our government? What can possibly happen as a result of this administration that should be so catastrophic to require armed militia?

How often are we afraid of things that never happen? During the last gasoline crisis "experts" told us we'd be paying $15 per gallon for gas. We enjoy the "socialist" safety net of Social Security and Medicare; despite the label, society hasn't crumbled. Increased taxes? Compare this year's return to last year's.

And when did we start to believe that "my" opinion - especially one based on what might be - was more important than the result of duly elected officials representing all of its citizenry. Important enough to embrace the slander and inflammatory rhetoric that seeks to deny others the very rights they claim to be protecting for themselves?

Do we really want to exchange our vote for a gun? The militia backers quote Edmund Burke: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Which do you really think is the greater evil?

Duff Monaghan

Wheaton