In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the People. - Eugene Victor Debs

Hello, I am Eugene Victor Debs, and I once said, "In every age it has been the tyrant, the oppressor and the exploiter who has wrapped himself in the cloak of patriotism, or religion, or both to deceive and overawe the People." Today, I want to reflect on the meaning of these words, how they applied in my time, and why they resonate so strongly in the world today. When I made this statement, it was the early 20th century—a time of profound social and economic inequality. Industrial magnates, often called "robber barons," wielded immense power over the working class. They wrapped themselves in patriotic rhetoric, claiming that their wealth and exploitation were essential for national progress. They argued that their accumulation of riches and control of industries was proof of American ingenuity and a source of pride for the nation. Meanwhile, workers endured grueling conditions, low wages, and little to no rights.