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Recommended: Essay on Fire prevention

Has the United States turned into a police state? Not yet but we are heading in that direction. The definition of a police state is a country in which the activities of the people are strictly controlled by the government with the help of a police force. By that definition almost every nation today is a police state. However, there are varying degrees of police states, which fall between civil libertarianism and totalitarianism. Even though we are not a police state like North Korea, we are slowly progressing toward one. We have laws that try to prevent us from participating in these controlled activities, however those laws are not enough. Police states have to present their ideas in a fashion that is not completely obvious. As the old saying “ you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink”.

One way for police states to broadcast their views is by advertising posters and television commercials. Smokey Bear is one good example of how a government conveys their ideas by commercials. In 1944 the U.S. Forest Service decided to begin educating the public about forest fires. The main reason Smokey was so desperately needed was that during World War II every able-bodied man was need for war efforts. Smokey definitely succeeded in educating the public about fire prevention. However he has turned from an informative bear into the ecology police.

Almost everyone who has ever been to a state park knows who Smokey Bear is. The lovable, brown bear with his park Ranger hat has been a staple in America since 1944.

Recently, however, Smokey Bear has transformed from a well-meaning friend into, “I’m from the government and I’m here to help.” The Bear from the 60’s and 70’s is vastly different from Smokey of...

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... 6.9 million acres today, from about 22 million acres of the past. He has brought the topic of fire prevention into everyone’s homes.

It is clear that today we focused on what we can do for nature, instead of what nature can do for us. Smokey has become the main mascot of fire prevention and ecology health. He has changed the views of millions on fire prevention. Smokey has made fire prevention a household topic. However, with more and more people moving to the suburbs and wilderness areas it is important that Smokey convey straightforward messages. What Smokey represented was the America we used to know where everyone was able to enjoy the forest and the beauty of the outdoors in a responsible manner. Although Smokey has transformed from a huggable bear into a government employee he is still important to the health of the nations forests and wildlife areas.

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