And I ain't buying it.

I'm supposed to be living in fear. That's the message I'm getting in commercials. Fear of terrorists. But also fear of my government. For being too liberal. For pushing health care reform. The message is delivered to me in voices tinged with fear. Yes, sound bites. Calculated to make me afraid of change. Of course, that's exactly what we need in America. Change. Big change. But the forces that don't want change have launched a campaign. Of fear. That change is bad. That change will be costly. Better to play it safe. And stick with the old, entrenched policies. Despite the fact that we are living in the 21st century. Not the 18th century any longer. But we're told that our founders knew what would be good for us. Forever. Therefore, we should live by the wisdom of thinkers that mouthed that all men are created equal. Except for some. The blacks. Well, they were born to be slaves. And women. Yes, they were born to be second-class citizens. Subservient. Without the right to vote. Yes, our founders faked democracy. Instead, they established a plutocracy. A country in which the monetarily rich wield the power. They have the money. And money is power. They can afford to buy the commercials that sell us on the notion of fear. Yes, don't overthrow our government. Because what we'll get will be something worse. A narrowing of the gap between the rich and poor. A brighter future. In which the common good is finally served. Yes, that's what we are supposed to fear. And I ain't buying it. --Jim Broede