“Man has dominated man to his injury,” words recorded 3,000 years ago, accurately describe the world in which we live.

Humans tend to abuse power, no matter who they are or where they live. All too often they victimize the vulnerable and the disadvantaged.

We’ve all heard politicians use the words “democracy” and “freedom.” They have become what George Orwell termed “worthless words.”

We have been conditioned to accept the word “democracy” as a synonym for freedom, so we believe democracy is associated with being benevolent. That’s probably why we force it on other countries. The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is the majority rule.

Some say freedom is without government interference, but thanks to people such as Lyndon Johnson, people in their 60s and older are not drowning in medical bills. If not for Social Security, lots of folks probably would be living in tents.

The word “liberal” stands for civil, political and economic liberties, but even we must be wary of too much government intervention.

On the other hand, “conservatism” once meant respect for tradition and distrust of government. In recent decades, conservatism has been changed, sadly, to support for big government grandiosity by way of military adventures.

We let corporations go overseas and under George W. Bush, banks were deregulated, which, as we know, caused this recent recession.

Modern conservatives block compromises from Democrats and blackmailed Obama into agreeing to extend the tax breaks for the 1 percent.

Money is power; very sad.

On another subject: Saturday is Prisoner of War Day. In that observance, we also must include those missing in action and all our young men and women fighting in these no-win wars coming back either mentally or physically wounded. I know a few former POWs and would ask everyone to remember.

Frank Slason

Somerville