Journey Out of Political Darkness

noun

the political direction and control exercised over the actions of the members, citizens, or inhabitants of communities, societies, and states; direction of the affairs of a state, community, etc.; political administration

This is the definition of government given by dictionary.com. Government is body meant to congregate the ideas of the public and to listen to the people they serve. However, today government has taken a wrong turn and failed to complete its purpose. As stated in "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience", the government now embodies "friction" created by injustice created in society over time. Government should be a country's pillars of support, a country's field of vision, a country's listening ear, a country's voice. In reality, our country has been ignoring the consent of its citizens and has been overstepping its use of power. It has become a machine that mechanically produces products -- politicians or soldiers -- to serve for its own selfish purposes. This disconnection between our country and us citizens destroys the message of a united nation. 

The part that has actually gone wrong is the people's unwillingness to speak out. Some people are even worse that; they would be dragged around like a doll, following along just because they have nothing to say. Thoreau brings this crucial issue to the table through his words. "It is not a man’s duty, as a matter of course, to devote himself to the eradication of any, even the most enormous wrong; he may still properly have other concerns to engage him; but it is his duty, at least, to wash his hands of it, and, if he gives it no thought longer, not to give it practically his support" (Thoreau). Of course, our country needs to rid of this egotistical quality the government possesses. But first of all, we need to cut down the numbers of people who make choices without using their conscience. People should not give in to the "power of majority" just because they are indifferent to the topic. They are only becoming slaves (one without the capability of speaking his own mind) of the government. Thoreau isn't asking for a new government. He is stressing how the most deadly and long-lasting errors require the existence of indifference. Our country needs that one honest man to step out of the dark and resist the tyranny.

Over two thousand years apart, but together they bring the right message:

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao Tzu

"For it matters not how small the beginning may seem to be: What is once well done is done forever." -Henry David Thoreau