Ebbie - That is a beautifully accurate assessment of the situation (wish I'd said it...:-)). It's the old divide and conquer principle, and boy, does it ever work. On the larger world scene larger power blocs play divide and conquer with countries, racial groups, religious groups, etc...

The fact is, 99% of the people in the world are not at war most of the time, and they have little inclination to be if left alone by the power brokers who pull the strings, sell the arms, and spread the propaganda. But when their sons are ordered to pick up a gun and die miserably on some mountainside...most of them go, convinced that they are defending some high ideal and defeating some terrible evil.

I think you are also right that most politicians start out their career genuinely wanting to make things better for people. Then the system gets them in its clammy hands, and they are soon lost to it.

- LH