Complacency is killing America.

Not only that, it is killing students. Take, for example, Andrew Meyer, the 21-year-old University of Florida (UF) student tasered by campus security guards nearly 10 days ago when, at a speaking forum, he asked Senator John Kerry some tough questions, “Why wasn’t Bush impeached? Are you a member of Skull & Bones? Were you in the same secret society (as Bush)?”

Without notice, a swarm of guards surrounded Meyer, handcuffed him, and dragged him towards the exit.

Meyer yelled in protest for the guards to stop. He repeatedly said he wasn’t violating any rules and that he had just asked questions.

Physically, he wrestled to break free from the guards’ grasp and continued to appeal at the top of his lungs that his free speech rights were being violated. As Meyer fought back, the guards’ aggressiveness increased.

“Ow! Ow! What are you doing? Owwwww! Help me! Can someone please help me?” the student screamed repeatedly in pain.

Eventually, a guard fired the weapon.

Meyer’s cries and terror filled the room, while his peers—an entire student audience—sat as still as mannequins, looking on aat the student’s crisis with blank stares, speechlessness, and even smirks.

The majority of UF students who witnessed the event sided with authorities and wrote blog statements such as, “The student got what he deserved. He does not deserve to be heard. Respect authority and the forum of public debate.”

One student who identified him or herself as “Angry Gator” wrote, “I would certainly expect this sort of thing in California, but not Florida.”

Compare the UF incident with Steve Jobs’ decision to lower the price of the hailed iPhone by $200, two weeks earlier.

A widespread panic and outcry ensued from consumers. People were so irate that Apple promptly gave in, compensating those who had paid top dollar for the fancy gadget when it first hit the market at $599.

Consumers also posted five times as many blogs about the iPhone on WiRED’s Web site than were posted on the Gainsvile Sun website about the UF incident.

The iPhone dilemma and the UF crisis reveal something: our priorities.

As Americans we have become willing to fight for material prosperity. Political decision-makers have gone as far as the Middle East to ensure our country’s comfort. But when our neighbors are in need, we are nowhere to be found.

In addition, it appears the average American proletariat has forfeited the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness for blind, robotic submission to an undemocratic leadership.

Abdicating personal responsibility is laziness in its purest form.

These incidents tell us something, if we are willing to listen. They teach us how much power we, the people, yield when we make choices to sit down or stand up—together.

Who ordered Andrew Meyer’s arrest anyway? And more importantly, where have the Kent State riots gone?

As JFK said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”