"V for Vendetta" beautifully illustrates what happens when people fear their government. One of the recurring ideas of the film:

"People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people,"

may remind many of Thomas Jefferson's idea that:

"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."

In the theatrical trailer and throughout the movie, it is clear that the fictional regime uses fear extensively to hold onto power and rule without boundaries. It is even said at one part of the film:

"Fear became the ultimate tool of this government."

Looking at today's real American government under George W. Bush, an informed citizen may recognize the administration's extensive use of fear to carry out its policies and break countless laws and disregard the U.S. Constitution.
One need not watch Fox News Channel for more than a few minutes before feeling the need to duck and cover. It would seem that terrorists are actively working to bomb our malls, subways, sky scrapers, schools, places of recreation and interstate highway systems in the coming hours. Our President has used fear as an excuse to strip us of civil liberties and search our property without warrants. The President has exploited America's fear by detaining individuals without charges and tapping phone lines illegally in an arrogant and pompous manner.
The process of inducing fear in all of us reminds me of a particular quote in the movie:

"What we need right now is a clear message to the people of this country. This message must be read in every newspaper, seen on every television...I want *everyone* to *remember*, why they *need* us!"

It is asked in "V for Vendetta,"

"If our own government was responsible for the deaths of a hundred thousand people... would you really want to know?"

What we do know is that according to Iraq Body Count, between 33,710-37,832 Iraqi civilians have been reported killed by military intervention in Iraq - or approximately 1/3 of a 100,000 people. How many more thousands do we not know about? How many could have been executed on our own soil?
Obviously I am not encouraging any physical attacks on our country's infrastructure, any buildings or any government officials. What I am encouraging is for more citizens to become active in calling for, as President Abraham Lincoln said in his Gettysburg Address, "government of the people, by the people, [and] for the people."
I encourage everyone to see "V for Vendetta" and see if I am totally off with this logic or if I am onto something.