How to get Americans to surrender

[This_person]

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader. — Samuel Adams


Saw the DDD thread this morning and thought of this quote.

 

[Larry Gude]

A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader. — Samuel Adams


Saw the DDD thread this morning and thought of this quote.

Wonder what 'ol Sam would say to the rather polite and principled abdication of rights and principles we, the people, conducted when we were offered the TSA, DHS and the properly named Patriot Act? That American's will, politely, give up anything and everything if someone says, nicely, "I'll make you SAFE" in this land of the free and home of the....brave?

 

[This_person]

Wonder what 'ol Sam would say to the rather polite and principled abdication of rights and principles we, the people, conducted when we were offered the TSA, DHS and the properly named Patriot Act? That American's will, politely, give up anything and everything if someone says, nicely, "I'll make you SAFE" in this land of the free and home of the....brave?

I believe in my heart he would react as you and I do - "Freedom is dangerous, so suck it up buttercup and get these things off the backs of the American people."

 

[Larry Gude]

I believe in my heart he would react as you and I do - "Freedom is dangerous, so suck it up buttercup and get these things off the backs of the American people."

He'd be alone. When Republicans, the presumed defenders of the Constitution, are the authors of the above AND we, the people, cheer them on for their cleverness in getting around those rascally Dems, it's OVER. The only thing left to do is put the date on the grave. He sure wouldn't see Donald Trump as the answer to Hillary Clinton.

 

[This_person]

He'd be alone. When Republicans, the presumed defenders of the Constitution, are the authors of the above AND we, the people, cheer them on for their cleverness in getting around those rascally Dems, it's OVER. The only thing left to do is put the date on the grave. He sure wouldn't see Donald Trump as the answer to Hillary Clinton.

Not everyone cheered.

Trump is not the answer to Clinton. Sadly, Trump (and Clinton, for that matter) are proof positive that the two-party electoral system is broken - possibly beyond repair. Not the government, but the parties that have usurped government power for their own.

 

[Larry Gude]

Not everyone cheered.

Trump is not the answer to Clinton. Sadly, Trump (and Clinton, for that matter) are proof positive that the two-party electoral system is broken - possibly beyond repair. Not the government, but the parties that have usurped government power for their own.

Granted. That said, if there was a party of the Constitution, it was the GOP, agreed? If so, when the guardians turn against that which they are entrusted with, it's over.

The system isn't broken. We are. We, the people, will NOT hold our own responsible. I ma heartened to see that some, 8 years later, are truly coming to terms with what Dubbya did and why it was so devastating. He had a unique opportunity to do everything conservatives had long said they'd do if they had the power. He chose differently and our world, from 9/11/2001 on, has changed and the demise of the US can be said to have begun at that critical time BECAUSE of that fact. If there was going to be THE time to bend towards a better path, that was it. :shrug:

 

[This_person]

Granted. That said, if there was a party of the Constitution, it was the GOP, agreed? If so, when the guardians turn against that which they are entrusted with, it's over.

The system isn't broken. We are. We, the people, will NOT hold our own responsible. I ma heartened to see that some, 8 years later, are truly coming to terms with what Dubbya did and why it was so devastating. He had a unique opportunity to do everything conservatives had long said they'd do if they had the power. He chose differently and our world, from 9/11/2001 on, has changed and the demise of the US can be said to have begun at that critical time BECAUSE of that fact. If there was going to be THE time to bend towards a better path, that was it. :shrug:

Granted.

But, failure in the past is not indicative of failure in the future. Lessons learned MAY (only MAY) result in a different outcome.

 

[Larry Gude]

Granted.

But, failure in the past is not indicative of failure in the future. Lessons learned MAY (only MAY) result in a different outcome.

The optimist.

Here's the problem and the reason Paine advised to eternal vigilance; once the gummint makes something, it is VERY unlikely to ever end. The arch of this nation is away from individual liberty, freedom and responsibility and towards an ever more totalitarian state and it's because, frankly, that's what we want. Look at Trump; underneath it all, he is a strong man. Or, more accurately, that's the illusion he is selling. The last thing an instinctively free people incline towards is someone whose gonna protect them even more.