[conservatism_IS_compassion]

Imagine a court clerk facing a firing squad for pocketing a fifty dollar fine. We'd either have more honest public servants, or MUCH more clever thieves.

Great system . . . it worked so well in the USSR . . .

</sarcasm>

[jonascord]

Imagine, however, if the federal functionary didn't have their own traffic lane, special, limited access stores to buy imported goods, and actual protection with the Constitution.

The USSR collapsed because they fought capitalism, and created a bloated government to insure that everyone was absolutely equal. Not because the it had honest governors, or more adept thieves.