I appreciate that. I think that's what I'm doing - focusing on what I can. Social media indicates that the average schmo is obsessed with politics at this time. I think that's a futile waste of time.

I recently wrote an article for my newsletter explaning that three things really matter: your health, family and money. These things matter and focusing on them can make life better. Not focusing on them is a mistake. As I watch this pres campaign unfold I find myself watching the citizens more than the candidates. I just see sheep, easy marks anymore. They're getting played by the political machine like a snake oil salesman plays a crowd.

On the other hand, as an old guy I remember people in the 70's saying almost the same things. Our nation was sliding into the abyss, politics was hopeless, and people were buying 'survival condos' on the west side of the Rockies. And then the threat of nuclear war was imminent. I don't see how giving up on everything makes your own life better. I would be aware of general trends, but focus on what enhances your life. The doomsayers will always be there and one day they may be right. But if you give up your own happiness due to worry, you are not right.

The TV series the walking dead is not just TV entertainment. Replace the walkers by the hordes of entitled people that aren't getting their desires met by a bankrupt government and you get a real life look at our future under socialism. I think its popularity is because people recognize intrinsically that life as we know it under socialism is unsustainable. I have wondered why the series is so popular, and I think this is why.

That depends very much on what one means by "governing." Reagan thought that the way to govern is to compromise. But the system won't permit major laws to be undone or departments abolished by compromise. You have to be willing to use "nuclear options" such as refusing to enact a budget, or to raise the debt limit. Cruz's major good point is that he has the guts to do this. Trump, probably, doesn't. Rand Paul, I'm not sure about yet.

We can expect that it'll be a whole new version of "normalcy", much different but much better than the present games.

Perhaps! We'll see...

Since governing today is just taking from one to give to others, maybe governing by "no" would be best

Excellent point! When an addict has the drug of choice removed, there is the intense pain of withdrawal. The world has been drinking the fools kool-aid of easy fiat currency and now as I believe you pointed out, the time of reckoning is drawing near! The sooner it happens, the sooner we can get back to some semblance of normalcy and yes, sanity!

!!!! My first thought was the one on the top of the list.

Appreciate the pun ;)
The only thing left to "save" us is US/Global bankruptcy with the end of fiat currency putting all governments out of business. Once we are thus finally freed from tyranny, it won't be so easy in the transition, but it is light at the end of this very long tunnel. But when?

Unfortunately telling it like he sees it and governing are two different things. One is easy, the other hard!

Friend! You speak my mind.....

You're correct! He (Obama) threw out the normal and customary way of doing business (and unfortunately out Constitution as well) and because he is now the Imperial President in every sense of the word we as citizens are the biggest losers. This is not good and now that trump (pardon the pun) has been broken, we will be seeing abuse from every side. We are but one election away from what may be total tyranny and an even worse abuse of the gift our founders provided us.

roger that....

And he who governs not at all is our friend indeed!

Okay, self-defense is silly. I'd bet that when the bad guys find self defense most everywhere they go, they'll soon find another occupation. We're about to find out.

The president has been able to do a lot just by giving orders to his Cabinet, including enact what amounts to both card-check (quickie union certification) and carbon regulations without getting any law enacted. (Even if these are overturned it will take years.) State governors don't have abilities like that.

A "system without rulers" requires a population of angels, not human beings. The idea was silly when Communists said it, and it's still silly when you say it.

The best example of "something must be done" I keep coming back to is Jessica Dubroff. She was a 7 year old student pilot trying to set a new record for the youngest pilot to fly cross country. In 1996 she, her father and instructor died in the attempt when they took off in bad weather in Wyoming.

Obviously a sad thing and something that would provide caution to anyone else trying to do that -- and they would know about her. But it was a single event, not a national problem. Our skies weren't filled with 7 year olds recklessly flying planes.

But Congress felt the need to act and passed legislation the "Child Pilot Safety Act" which prohibits someone without a license or medical certificate (essentially 17 years old) from being in control of the craft if they are trying to set a record. They can still fly, just not set records.

Would you rather have a "better" government of Force, or support a voluntary system without Rulers?

There is no problem; that's the point. But if you're stoned you might spend time looking for it.

last civil war cost ~600k lives, one with modern technology will be far faster and bloodier

We can't turn this ship around -- it's impossible. It can only sink.

We are Ruled by a Government of Force, you know.

Try this little book by Bastiat, it's a bargain. No, I don't get referral fees.
https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/...

I give up, what's his problem? Too many tin cans to choose from?

I believe the "do something" mentality comes from the media, not from government per se. Crises, real or phony, sell papers and TV ads, so naturally if there are two candidates and only one of them is screaming "We need to do something!" all the cameras are going to be pointed at him/her.