LOL -- checked off those boxes long ago!
Seriously, I agree with your essay and despair of the hard-hearted but demonstrably underinformed posters who believe their emotions instead of doing the research. Smart and accomplished people are so often disbelieved, slimed and accused of the exact opposite of what they are doing, have done, and announce that they intend to do.
It's sad to see people spit on this last chance for liberty in this country because they no longer experience liberty. Some never have in their lifetime, because they were born after the 60s. Others will not defend it unless it comes to them in a dream, dressed in a choir robe with a halo on top.
I may never have experienced true liberty but I thought we were in it. And I want it back.
It is sad to see that some here just want to play the game the oligarchy has set up: pick YOUR President.... From among THESE people we own.... Don’t look at that racist clown over there.... He’s not what you want... We’ll mock you if you vote for him...
We need to wake up.