I Happen To Think That As The

Soon It Will Be Possible To Assert Almost Continuous Surveillance Over Every Citizen And Maintain Up-to-date Complete Files Containing Even The Most Personal Information About The Citizen.

Never Before Has A Populist Democracy Attained International Supremacy. But The Pursuit Of Power Is Not A Goal That Commands Popular Passion, Except In Conditions Of A Sudden Threat Or Challenge To The Public's Sense Of Domestic Well-being. The Economic Self-denial (that Is, Defense Spending) And The Human Sacrifice (casualties, Even Among Professional Soldiers) Required In The Effort Are Uncongenial To Democratic Instincts. Democracy Is Inimical To Imperial Mobilization.

The American People Have To Think Hard About Their Definition Of The Meaning Of The Good Life, That Hedonistic, Materialistic Society Of High Levels Of Consumption, Increasing Social Inequality Is Not A Society That Can Be Part Of The Solution Of The World's Problems.

It Certainly Would Be Possible For America To Redefine Its Role In The World, Especially If, In The Short Run, America Is Able To Cope Effectively With The Ongoing Dilemma In The Middle East.

In Iraq We Must Succeed. Failure Is Not An Option.