Don't forget his Dept. of Education, the SSA, the Nat'l. Oceanographic Admin. Good points, but counting on Vets alone isn't going to get it done.

jconne; Please read my response to Robbie below. I don't mean to detract from the importance of educating youth. I just think we've waited too long.

I think the fight to get the people that make up the population to think is simply a delaying action. Everyone fully understands what the ATF and DOJ did on 'Fast and Furious', that the NSA is monitoring everything they do electronically and state and local government is monitoring the rest, what the IRS did in interfering with political activities of citizen's groups, what the CIA did in torturing suspected 'terrorists', what the FED has done to our monetary system and economy, that government control of the health industry and services is wrong, that the police are killing and abusing citizens at an ever increasing rate, that this country with 5% of the planet's population has the largest prison population per capita and in total on the planet, that our fight with 'terrorism' has gone on for 14 years with no end in sight, that their friends and family members aren't finding the jobs they once did, that Obama's white House is tearing up the very societal and structural foundation of this country, that we don't have the freedoms we once did, that we can no longer trust what our news organizations tell us, and that Obama and his cronies are exceptionally glib liars, on and on ad infinitum. But very few think that those issues have anything to do with them individually or personally.

The fight has to be to get those in government, the political class and the SES levels of bureaucracy (the non-famous and untouchables), to understand that they've gone too far and in some manner that counts, re-instate individual accountability to those in government, all levels of government, that has teeth.

Fighting the stupidity and ignorance that exists in the population is simply a 'too late to the ball' response. Sure, in the long run, it's to our gain to do so. But while that's happening, those in government and our institutions will continue on as they have and are currently. When they can blissfully eliminate the 4th Amendment to the Constitution in a funding bill, they obviously think they can get away with anything and they will until they're stopped. And even if you replace every elected individual in the country, you can't replace the SES. You don't even know who they are and they don't worry about what you or elected politicians think. Have you seen anything happen to the Lois Lerners and the VA administrators or to the cop that raided the wrong house and shot the guy in the house other than at most forced to retire with full pensions and benefits?

Here is a video with the same feeling as I...
http://usa.rightwingamerica.com/
It is called "Not on My Watch"

I firmly believe that the only winning strategy is educating future generations in spite of all the obstacles. That's what ARI continues to home in on. That's where I donate and lend my support.

Rand's ideas are being discussed in political circles and that exposes the young and curious to them. All they need is a hearing and they will stand on their own merits. Our goal should be to help others ask the right questions - the right fundamental questions with an understanding of why they are important. That's a much more selfish and valuable use of our energies -- questions like what are rights and why are they rights?

So why not turn this vehicle from a complaining circle into a search for the right questions and how we can communicate their importance to the young present and future voters.

I like to point out that thise commonly called leaders are anything but! They win popularity contests. Therefore, they are simply followers - some well intentioned but all seeking power for some purpose. And they get the electorate's
permission to do what they do. So we the voters are the problem. Therefore, that's where leverage for improvement lives.

For those too set in their unquestioned premises - ignore them - move on - find the intellectually curious and inspire them with the right questions and respect for their rights and responsibilities as independent sovereign human beings.

When I daily introduce strangers to Rand's innovation in thinking, I suggest questions that deserve their attention for their own happiness and defense of their rights. I ask if and what the like to read and use that as my guide for what to recommend.

I also share "my most outrageous assertion" and call it just that - I believe Ayn Rand has done for philosophy, what Newton had done for a Physics - fully grounding it in reality for the first time.

I tell my listeners that if they read about this, the only thing that matters is their best judgement and integrity. If it doesn't meet that standard they should ignore it. This separates me for those asking for followers and puts the burden fully and respectfully on their shoulders.

Thoughts?

Zen, I have to believe that our veterans will give their dying breath to save our Constitution. The biggest obstacle right now is O's republican guard. Why should the HHS and EPA be armed???

In our world today, it's a sad reality that perception is reality for most of the population.

Yes, my email to my Senators and Congressman, all Republicans was: What the Hell? Do you guys ever read the bills you pass? And what gave you the idea that you have the power to eliminate the 4th Amendment without our OK?

Haven't heard back yet. I'm sure it'll be something about 'National Security' in the perilous times or some such nonsense.

Yeah, when fools in institutions like Congress gain power and control, well that's got to be pretty close to the end.

Very doubtful. But then, if there's only one chance in a hundred, there's still a chance. Unfortunately, I think we are witnessing the end of the American experiment. Since I won't be around to witness the final gasps, I plan to send out "radical" emails to all and sundry..

Scary took other congressoersons to put those losers where they are.
Thanks for pointing that out.

jc; Thanks for the comment and particularly for the book and essay referrals.

allosaur; I wonder what it says about our Congress, when people like Pelosi and Boehner can become Speakers of the House-2nd in succession of the Presidency, not to set aside the stupidity of a Reid in the Senate.

Thanks for the forgiveness.

I didn't say I saw it, but real or not, it's been a major issue thrown in front of our views for a few months now.

Not only are his warnings and alarms 'never heard or acknowledged by politicians', it's also not listened to by the populace. And yes, "welcome to the nightmare"!

Herb; Do you really think that 'radical shift' has any chance whatever of happening?

the u.s. government is now the most grand weapon
of mass destruction ever!!! -- j

"The loved Thomas Jefferson shredded the Constitution with the Louisiana Purchase." The Constitution has no provision for the United States to purchase territory. Hence TJ didn't "shred" anything. He did act extra-constitutionally which he acknowledged. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_...

Well thought out and well written response. Thanks, jc!

The power of the Constitution was so great, that in spite of all that has been done to make it impotent its influence lasted around 200 years. Immediately after having been written, critics started arguing against this, that, or the other depending on their different agendas. While adhering to the general principles set down by the Constitution the nation prospered as no nation in all of history has ever prospered. The cause of this was the freedom the Constitution provided. At the same time, little by little it was being torn apart by those who want to make it irrelevant, until in the 20th century, the process accelerated to the point where it was changed to where it has been made useless. As a result, we witness the decline of the USA into a mixed (up) economy and government. The freedoms are hanging by their fingernails as the middle class commits suicide by poison, though the antidote exists in black and white, written by the founders. Unless there is a radical shift in Washington and the majority of the state governments, the USA will not survive as a free state.