[Savage Beast]

"Pitiably, the leadership of that Republic has been usurped by a shadow empire, a ruling class which has it’s own set of rules and it’s own hierarchy."

Definitely true.

"Our republic is strong, and is filled with hardworking people who will carry it anywhere it wants to go."

Really? So who elected this ruling class? Empowered them? Keeps them in office? Tolerates their abuse? Shrugs off their abuses? Ignores their excesses? Excuses their greed?

Who has surrendered liberty to them in exchange for their snake-oil promises?

In fact--who has surrendered the United States to these people?????

[Avoiding_Sulla]

Your rhetorical questions are not unsound, but they are a non sequitur with respect to a hardworking people.

Are they too trusting? Naive even? Too willing to believe those really are public servants they’ve been voting for all these years? Yes, yes, and yes.

So maybe it’s the republic part you find questionable. So do I. However, the institutions of the republic ARE strong. What you and I may agree not to like is that the institutions have had their goals redirected. Heh.

Og is insisting that the situation is too far gone for voting to matter. Do you agree or disagree with his assessment? Such as: “Now witness the firepower of this fully ARMED and OPERATIONAL battle station.”