Wow.

and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

This is an interesting line by itself, but it seems particularly relavent when you look at some of the things that have taken place in recent history (Nazi Germany, pre 9/11 Iraq, Cuba). It's interesting because I just don't think Americans would ever let something like a dictatorial leader happen without doing something about it. No matter how much you may dislike G.W. Bush, he is still a democratic president (in that he is elected by the people) in a democratic country who has to answer to among others, 535 elected officials whom are also elected by the people. I cherish my freedom to vote for our leader, but also to have the freedom to dislike the one elected and be a patriot because of it, and according to the founding fathers who were the ultimate dissenters, dissent is indeed patriotic. In all my readings about World War II (which is pretty much all I read about), it is simply amazing what Americans are willing to do to protect this freedom, and in re-reading this document, it is what makes me darn proud to be an American.

"The political benefits to incumbents of rampant criminalization may explain why from 2000 to 2007 Congress passed three times as many crimes in election years as it did in non-election years. No member of Congress wants to be labeled "soft on crime" for voting against a bill touted as the answer to the most high-profile crime du jour."

It never ceases to amaze me how there are so many things like this in politics that are so thinly veiled yet happen again and again. By the way, I hope you've all read up on the Terms and Conditions of Nutcan.com. I'd hate to see any of you tossed in the klink.