We hate our freedom

[An enthusiasm for personal subordination] is a universal feature of our admirable species. Indeed, since the development of the political state, human history is incomprehensible on any hypothesis other than that people hate and fear their freedom. On the hypothesis that everyone aspires to freedom, it is difficult to explain why we are continuously subordinated.

...

Mess with Bush and his program for universal liberty, and you're liable to be bagged up and whisked off to a black site, where agents of this or some other government will satisfy your desire for subordination once and for all.

So that the Iraqi people might not feel too disoriented, we continued administering their country from Saddam's palaces and kept his torture facilities in operation. It appears, in our heart of hearts, everyone likes a good Baathist, whether that Baathist be Saddam Hussein or Dick Cheney.

Since all the world over it's so easy to see, etc., we might suppose such policies would cause outrage and resistance. Yet, exactly one man is unhappy about it: Russell Feingold -- who's not nearly Milosevic enough to make a satisfying POTUS.

We want the government to guarantee our health, deflect hurricanes, educate our children and license us to drive; we want to be told what to eat, what to smoke and whom to marry. We are justly proud of the fact that no enduring society has ever incarcerated more of its people. Noting that the policeman has a pistol, a club, a stun gun, a can of pepper spray and a database that includes us, we feel happy and secure.

Our submission is absolute: We want to be operated like puppets and provided for like pets.

The terrorists hate our freedom. But we should be comfortable with that. We hate our freedom, too.