[null and void]

It started out as We The People.

Now it’s you people are getting too uppity.

We’ve fallen a long way since we were willing to revolt over a few pence tax on tea, haven’t we?

[bvw]

In many ways we are greater than that generation, in others -- we have fallen. One way is that we drive cars. Everybody, nearly everybody, is a driver. That may sound trivial, but it is a great fantastic accomplishment, in a myriad of ways. Here's one -- we trust each other to follow the rules of the road, thousands upon thousands of times in a single commute to work. Only one half-second of malicious or foolish intent acted upon would result in great injury or death -- yet such instances are rare. It is a sign of a very mature and stable personality in the general overall culture.

Such a thing was unheard of centuries ago. Traveling was considered a dangerous endeavor -- because of vile habits in men who were happy to take out a traveler a day or two out from home. Even in the founder's generation men carried canes and swords regularly -- because they were regularly needed.

General literacy and high levels of hygiene are noveleties, historically speaking.

But regarding the law -- the general wisdom of it, there is a general apathy. Like a whipped dogs we cower whimpering waiting for some alpha dog to tell us when to bark.