Tens of thousands of farmers drove their  tractors through all major German cities yesterday, in what one protester described as "a wake-up call." 

Jan. 8,—It used to be understood that governments exist for the benefit of the lives of their people, and were expected to enact policies to such effect. Imperial and geopolitical wars, and other such wasteful things were rightly seen as distractions from the true mission of government—to advance their nation and their people toward a better future.