Naturally the common people don't want war: neither in Russia, nor in England, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But after all it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or fascist dictatorship, or a parliament or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peace makers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.

Goering's point, of course, applies to the United States as well. A good example was the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. WMDs! WMDs! We are about to be attacked by Iraqi dictator (and former U.S. ally) Saddam Hussein! Mushroom clouds over American cities! Iraq is about to conquer us! We must invade now, especially since our 11 years of regime-change sanctions have failed to oust Saddam from power and replace him with another U.S. stooge!

And just as Goering indicated, many Americans fell for it, becoming blind, ardent, "patriotic" supporters of the invasion, war of aggression, and long-term occupation of Iraq.