How have people worldwide allowed nation-states to present themselves with pomp and grandeur? I stopped at Napoleon’s tomb and saw his epitaph: “I want my ashes to rest on the banks of the Seine, amongst the French people whom I loved very much.” Napoleon sent almost a million French soldiers to their deaths and caused death and suffering for millions more. Is that love? I wonder what the widows, orphans and bereaved parents of France would have to say on the topic?

Why do states persist in building edifices and monuments to themselves? Washington is full of white, marble buildings that look suspiciously like mausoleums. Indeed, the Taj Mahal is seen as a symbol of the glory of India. But it’s just a large tomb. When will people stop glorifying war? Instead, it should be treated as what it is – shameful. War is the societal equivalent of incest. You wouldn’t stage a parade or celebrate incest with barbecues and fireworks, would you?

When will people stop giving the state prestige and kneeling before leaders? The rightful place of the state is as an appendix, or appliance, of the people. Now, don’t get me wrong. I love microwaves and refrigerators. They perform a useful function. But I will not salute them, assign them sentience or personhood, or, worse yet, create flags with a big Kirby vacuum or Frigidaire and wave that around while chanting slogans.

Politicians strut around in hand-tailored Savile Row suits, hold galas and banquets. Instead, they should wear shapeless, gray suits similar to what prisoners wear. It will remind them of their submissive status and give them much-needed humility. The state worships and fetishizes death; the people, in turn, worship and fetishize the state. And people characterize the Aztecs as barbaric?

Kevin Swinderman

Durango