Last night President Bush delivered the State of the Union address. I deliberately decided not to watch it. Instead, I read it today on the government's website. You can read the whole thing on this link.

Even though the President addressed many basic issues like Social Security, Healthcare, etc. it seemed to have the overwhelming them of continuing the 'fight for freedom'. Of course it makes sense that this theme would be prevalent right now with the war.
However, I found that my gut reaction to it was to feel afraid. Afraid of terrorism, afraid of my government overextending itself into my civil rights, afraid of another catastrophic event like 9/11, but mainly a just a general queaziness over what might happen. I wonder if this general feeling of fear is what was intended by the administration? Perhaps, intended to spur us to sacrifice our comfort with what our government is doing (in our homeland and abroad) in the name of a greater good.

I do not claim to be a political analyst, but I am spurred to share some excerpts:
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"We'll be deliberate, yet time is not on our side. I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons. (Applause.)

Our war on terror is well begun, but it is only begun. This campaign may not be finished on our watch -- yet it must be and it will be waged on our watch."
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"For too long our culture has said, "If it feels good, do it." Now America is embracing a new ethic and a new creed: "Let's roll." (Applause.) In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. (Applause.)

My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation. (Applause.) Many are already serving, and I thank you. If you aren't sure how to help, I've got a good place to start. To sustain and extend the best that has emerged in America, I invite you to join the new USA Freedom Corps. The Freedom Corps will focus on three areas of need: responding in case of crisis at home; rebuilding our communities; and extending American compassion throughout the world.

One purpose of the USA Freedom Corps will be homeland security. America needs retired doctors and nurses who can be mobilized in major emergencies; volunteers to help police and fire departments; transportation and utility workers well-trained in spotting danger."
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"This time of adversity offers a unique moment of opportunity -- a moment we must seize to change our culture. Through the gathering momentum of millions of acts of service and decency and kindness, I know we can overcome evil with greater good. (Applause.) And we have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace."
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"The last time I spoke here, I expressed the hope that life would return to normal. In some ways, it has. In others, it never will. Those of us who have lived through these challenging times have been changed by them. We've come to know truths that we will never question: evil is real, and it must be opposed. (Applause.) Beyond all differences of race or creed, we are one country, mourning together and facing danger together. Deep in the American character, there is honor, and it is stronger than cynicism. And many have discovered again that even in tragedy -- especially in tragedy -- God is near. (Applause.)"
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"Steadfast in our purpose, we now press on. We have known freedom's price. We have shown freedom's power. And in this great conflict, my fellow Americans, we will see freedom's victory."
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Could these calls to action for the President lead us into a society more like the novel's "1984" and "Brave New World" than you or I would ever want? What exactly will this new USA Freedom Corps be doing when it looks for danger in our homeland? Who decides what the goals are that create the greater good set out by our government or us?
What impending danger is he always refering to? What does he mean by God is near? What will constitute freedom's victory?

My questions do not stem only from this 30 min. speech but instead from the experiences we all have had in the last few years. It stems from traveling in the airports across the country and having random inspections with other people protecting us but at the same time having power over us. From having a voice broadcast over the airways of the airport (even in the bathrooms) always stating the same thing "the Homeland Security Threat is at a code Orange" so be sure to stay aware of all the people around you, don't trust them, don't help them hold luggage, report suspicious behavior of these other people, etc.
From having this vague enemy over looming over you, and it could be anyone that is going to take your freedoms from you.
Is this for real? Or, does it serve the purpose of propelling us into a new world society where the individual is less important than the greater good.

I don't know the answer, and I never will; however, I do know that I believe that the individual's rights are so very, very important to keep and fight for. I think that the virtue of selfishness that the author Ayn Rand promoted in her writings was something she realized through her experiences in the Soviet Union's communist government. The greater good is not always good.
Of course, let's help each other, support each other, be active in our government, not always put your needs over other people's. But, let's also value our individuality and our individual freedoms.