Evidently, selling off America's public lands is presented as beneficial for democracy and the economy, providing funds for infrastructure, compensating for decreased timber sales, and helping to finance the Iraq war, which is criticized as based on lies. The author suggests that there is little public outcry, with empty streets and a complacent population.
The passage highlights a sense of apathy among Americans, who are described as numb and unaware of the liberties being lost through these actions. It emphasizes a disconnect between government policies on land sale and the public's lack of response, portraying a nation comfortable in ignorance of its diminishing rights.