Why We Don't Do Anything

I've been thinking a lot about a question I posed in my last post -- why we don't get too angry about Iraq and the Bushies. I mean, sure we gripe and blog and send emails and yell at the TV, but we're not quitting our jobs or starting movements or holding be-ins or anything. For the most part, we're not actually acting on our disapproval.

I think it's because all the problems are so easy, so insulated.

There's no draft. Unemployment is low. Gas prices are fine. Most people getting killed over there are very patriotic, whose families will support the machine more than criticize it. We're not disrupted. It's sunny out. Ski season is upon us. We go for a bike ride. There's a cool new Will Farrell movie out. The news is so easy to turn off.

During World War II, people sacrificed. Factories were converted into munitions plants; the draft took everyone. People made do with less and were happy about it. Today, we're never asked to sacrifice or do anything differently. American values mean lots of steak and big cars. We earned all this comfort and now it's expected.

Truth is, we're resting on our laurels. What have we earned lately?