The arrogance that we have here in America is just amazing; our insistence on other nations following American-style “democracy” (which it isn’t) and universal suffrage is a classic example of it. The slogan “Live Free or Die” takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to international relations. We tell the world, “you will submit to American-style government or be bombed into submission.” We insist that Third-world illiterate peasants be given the power to vote, knowing that they will be easily swayed by those who promise to take from the productive and give to the non-productive. The results are the same as they are here – creeping socialism and the suicide of a nation.

With that one modest sentence you have not only made an accurate appraisal of the American Experiment in Democracy, but also made a statement that can be applied to other issues, such as foreign policy.

For instance, much was made of the kind of government a subdued Afghanistan should have, under the assumption that if it had the right mixture of modern equalitarian structures, combined with force of arms, “the people” would naturally follow. How contrary that is to “governments are instituted among men…”

I’m not sure what the rationale was for the 17th amendment, but the early 20th century was certainly a time of consolidation of state power. No surprise then that such a thing would have been established at this time [1913]. Before this epoch — and certainly before Lincoln’s reign — the unscrupulous power-grabber politician was far less of a threat to the liberties of the people, simply because he had no outlet for his desires at the national level.

From thugs like McCain, you get the really mean stare.