These are just some thoughts. I'm going to try really hard to keep these short, even just a line, if I'm able. Also, if I find a good quote from someone else, I'll put that in as well.
"The heights of popularity and patriotism are still the beaten road to power and tyranny; flattery to treachery; standing armies to arbitrary government; and the glory of God to the temporal interest of the clergy." -David Hume