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the only reasons politicians have power is because people are morons

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Perhaps overly simplistic, but the sentiment at least touches upon the problem. It's not politicians that have ruined the world, it's all of us who don't question or participate or think. It's people who don't take the time to understand the issues at stake, or question the position and statements of those who purport to be our leaders. It's people who don't take part in the processes available to us to influence and impact the leadership of our nations. It's the people who are the haters, who think that the world's problems can be solved by killing, mistreating, driving out whatever particular ethnic, religious, social group that is their preferred whipping boy for the world's ills that week. We are the politicians; we are the problem. One of my dad's favorite quotes is from the old Pogo cartoon strip: "We have met the enemy, and he is us!"