If you consider god as the government, then it might be watching.

No, it is political propaganda to keep you occupy from the real issues that are ruining our country.

If you can fight in a war at 18, you should be able to drink at the age of 18

I say no only for the fact that the Government will tax and control the Marijuana supply chain.

@oneaboveall Federal Reserve controls our economy. But as far as "How can a government persuade our minds?" a government doesn't persuade alone, you have mainstream media which has a big influence on peoples beliefs and ideologies. Mainstream Media is easy, instead of everyday people looking up issues and basing there outlook on empirical facts, they prefer the biased opinions that they hear from the media. Other persuasions are propaganda, religion, even your parents or people you admire.