Citizenship in a democracy is more than a ballot dropped in a box on Election Day. It’s a 365-days-a-year job requiring the active participation and best judgement of every citizen in the affairs of his community, his nation, and his country’s relations with the world.
Fascism thrives on indifference and ignorance. It makes headway when people are apathetic or cynical about their government – when they think of it as something far removed from them and beyond their personal concern. The erection of a traffic light on your block is important to your safety and the safety of your children. The erection of a world organization to safeguard peace and world security is just as important to our personal security. Both must be the concern of every citizen.
Freedom, like peace and security, cannot be maintained in isolation. It involves being alert and on guard against the infringement not only of our own freedom but the freedom of every American. If we permit discrimination, prejudice, or hate to rob anyone of his democratic rights, our own freedom and all democracy is threatened.
Army Talk Orientation Fact Sheet #64
October 26, 2024 (Letters from an American)
Army Talk: Fascism! (Internet Archive)
Scott Boehmer 