We Must Be Willing to Assume the Very Worst Possible Motives of Those in Power

Richard E. Araujo

English 101

Dr. Ruthie Grant

2 October 2003

Racing Daylight

"We must be willing to assume the very worst possible motives of those in power."

After reading this quote carefully, I can't help but agree with it. If you are daring enough to question some of the actions taken by those in power, you will notice that the outcome only benefits their selfish views.

We live in a "Corporate America", where the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. This is sad but very true. The worst part about this truth is that there is no way of changing the situation; it is as if our fate is to act like machines and be controlled by those with money. Although you may not realize it, the bottom line is that in this television influenced world, those without money are being oppressed by those with money. Both the middle and lower class of society are being told what to do and how to live by those in the upper class.

Everything you hear on the news and on the radio has been censored to make you believe a certain viewpoint. Sure this might seem far-fetched, but is this really far from the truth? Tax increases, job-layoffs, and wars have been fought in order to make or save money, as well as to keep control of the corporate ladder. From a young age, we are taught that this is "the land of opportunity" and that, with hard work, anything is possible. Sadly, this is far from being true. Many men and women have spent their lives working hard as firefighters, police officers, doctors, and lawyers; I doubt that many of them, if any at all, have become millionaires. Most of us will live a routine trained behavioral life, while a select few will be born into the wealth left behind by their fathers.

It is sad to see what this country and what humanity have come down to. Our president, our leader, our symbol of democracy and freedom has abandoned and betrayed us. Instead of looking out for the best interest of the country, George Bush was only concerned with the money he would be making if he took control of the oil in Iraq. With total disregard for both human life and public opinion, Bush forced an invasion upon Iraq. Hundreds of Marines have lost their lives, and their family members lives have been forever scarred, all for the greed of one man that abused his power bestowed upon him by the people. Yet no one knows the whole truth, for you only know what you are told.

Do you honestly think that those in power would allow the public to know the truth behind their actions? Of course not! To insure that the truth remains concealed, they use words like hard work and commitment while, in reality, they should be honest and tell you to cheat, steal, and kill. Why doesn't anyone say something or do something about this situation? Well, it's simple. Most people in this country can't afford a voice in society. Those who have tried to take on the corporate ladder have failed miserably by being accused of treason, while those who live out their lives without questioning society are rewarded by being called "Patriots." It is unbelievable to see how many "Patriots" have died for their country. I ask myself; for who? For what? So that some politician's son can get a free ticket to Harvard? Have you ever seen a politician, or one of their children, fight in a war for their country? The bravery and courage in which this country was founded upon has been lost through the years. I accept this truth although, at the same time, it is hard for me to believe how heartless and selfish some people can be. We all have it within ourselves to be strong and to be heroes when the time calls for it, like those brave souls that lost their lives on 9-11. I cannot believe that while hundreds risked and gave up their lives for total strangers, miles away, our President was thinking of how he could benefit from the tragedy.

Is this really "the land of the free"? How free are we when most protests end with tear gas, hand-cuffs, and blood on the streets? "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," are the basic rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Would it hurt the government to let us live our lives this way? Is it too much to ask that we all live and act upon morals?