Whatever the population was, with the technology of the time, mounting a nation-to-nation confrontation across the Atlantic was a little hard for England to muster... obviously, we never struck on their own soil. We can barely do something like that now.

vent away. this site loves that. yes, this was not a majority rules. most people are hens pecking in the yard and they squawk when there is no grain to peck up. you know this though...you know this

I have kinda "gone Galt" a long time ago. I retired. However, I'm not 100% gone. I still use the internet to see how much trouble I can get into. However, my wife is an entirely different matter. She is one of those energetic type people who can't stop being active. She has been a photographer, an esthetician, and a bookkeeper for several substantial corporations. She finally retired but couldn't stand it and became a very successful Avon lady. At 81, she's like one of those perpetual motion clocks that keep going on atmospheric pressure changes. Oh, and in her "spare" time she is a terrific gardener. She can't just quit, and we're not about to start over at our age. So...going Galt entirely is out. However, that doesn't stop us from making our knowledge known to people who could benefit from it, and maybe be a bit argumentative when we.re in the mood and the adversary deserves it.

There are a variety of ways to resist growing autocracy. The first, of course, is through the system established by the Constitution, through our elected representatives. The challenge here is that numerous generations of lawyers have been very creative in developing the means to stifle the effective use of that process. The Beltway crowd have become a form of artificial aristocracy, as Jefferson predicted, granting themselves a belief in their superiority over the people they're supposed to serve. We cast off a monarchy, only to grow our own oppressive oligarchy.

The rejection of the established fiefdom of the RNC that appears to be developing may help in throwing off the constraints imposed by a disdainful elite, but the forces of rejection are weaker in the Democrat party. Clinton is the anointed, rightful aristocrat, given her pending coronation by the DNC, despite the less aggressive rebellion behind Bernie Sanders (who threw his followers under the bus by declaring the email scandal as off limits). If the unconventional candidates (Trump, Carson) fail to become President, and Clinton becomes the "monarch" she believes she has the right to be, the door may be closed to lawful reclamation of individual rights as intended under Constitutional mandate.

What happens next? How far can the DC oligarchs go in depriving us of liberty before more drastic measures seem inevitable as the only recourse? Is a non-violent revolution via civil disobedience, as in the Philippines or Poland possible? The move to violent confrontation is likely to be long in coming, if at all.

I haven't heard of this law but it reminds me of being at a UU event a few years back. Two elderly people told me they've been hospitalized for various problems told me every time they go in they wish the healthcare people could face this question: "I'm close to the end of life. Is this one worth treating, or should we be looking at palliative care only?" They said they feel like even the doctors can't face this question. They seemed like happy people, full of life, although one used me or any young man nearby for support when she need it. I was 36 y/o and amazed at how candid they were about the end of their lives.

Regarding separating from England, my understanding is at least a third favored it.

I agree there is a problem, because the socialists are intermingled in our neighborhoods, not over there or just in the East or something like that. Besides the only way to over through the US military is by ideas - see how well it is working in Iran, Afghanistan with Islam.

Back then, the British were more humane in dealing with dissenters. The current government's attitude is that the supremacy of the State is paramount. Any challenge, no matter how small and apparently insignificant, get a massive retort from the State. They will do anything to prevent an avalanche - Ruby Ridge, Waco and any open defiance of any State authority get instant and vicious response. Kind of like the Spartans eliminating the brightest of their slaves - so the system will not be challenged.

Re: "settled in with having their asses handed to them all the time."

I used to think the US was going to go the way of 1984, but it seems to be going the way of Fahrenheit 451. The government isn't so much forcing these things upon us as it is opportunistically responding to society's demands for them.

Whatever the population was, with the technology of the time, mounting a nation-to-nation confrontation across the Atlantic was a little hard for England to muster... obviously, we never struck on their own soil. We can barely do something like that now.

Yes... it wasn't 1.5%, I think it was closer to 3% (the significance of the "III" Revolutionary War flag).

We just have to fight, and do the best we can.