We are accustomed to think of ourselves as an emancipated people; we say that we are democratic, liberty-loving, free of prejudices and hatred. This is the melting pot, the seat of the great human experiment. Beautiful words, full of noble, idealistic sentiment… Actually, we are a vulgar, pushing mob whose passions are easily mobilized by demagogues, newspapermen, religious quacks, agitators and such like. To call this a society of free peoples is blasphemous. What have we to offer the world – besides the super abundant loot we recklessly plunder from this Earth under the maniacal delusion that this insane activity represents progress and enlightenment? The land of opportunity has become the land of the senseless sweat and struggle. The goal of all our striving has long been forgotten. We no longer wish to succor the oppressed and homeless; there’s no room in this great, empty land of ours for those who, like our forefathers before us, now seek a place of refuge…..Where is the democratic spirit? Where are the Leaders?

Henry Miller
“The Air Conditioned Nightmare”