“We” bailed out the banks, “we” invaded Vietnam, “we” killed Osama bin Laden, etc. This phrasing is no accident; it is instilled in us from our earliest years as we recite pledges worshiping a Flag and stand up at baseball games to sing songs in worship of the State. Everywhere we go we are reminded that we are the government, and the government is us.

The result of this conditioning is that many people become very defensive when it comes to others criticizing the government, particularly foreign policy, as they have come to associate the government with themselves. This is how Democracy is sold to the public – all State actions are considered legitimate since “the people” voted in those making the decisions.