I'm a pretty calm guy all the time.
Somebody that hates the Federal Government, but has loyalty to the citizens of their state, the republic and the Constitution, can that person be a patriotic American?
I don't hate the Federal Government... I just don't trust them. The same can be said about my state and local governments.
For the last 40+ years, we have allowed the Federal and State governments to run rampant with promising goodies while bloating bureaucracies, accumlating debt, and lining the pockets of politicians at all levels.
You live in some fantasy that says that a Confederate victory 150 years ago would have taken government off your back. That's a silly dream. Politicians, state, local and Federal will always be on your back (while pretending to only be offering a helping hand) as long as we allow them. It is no different North or South. The more money they have to work with, the more they will be on your back, and the more corrupt they will be.
What makes you think that States Governments care more about your rights than the Federal government?
Neither one gives a damn if we don't hold their feet to the fire. Some of the worst rights violations have been by the states... be it the old-time lynching or the modern no-knock raids.
I'm in favor of getting back to limited government and taking their money away from them. That way the thieves we now have in government will go back to some ordinary criminal activity instead of pretending they are public servants.
You want to throw Massachusetts out of the Union? Yes, they voted 62% for Obama last time. But the task is to explane to only 12% of the people in that state why they are mistaken!
I can guarantee you that you aren't going to do that by celebrating Jeff Davis and the Confederate Cause and advocating secession.
It makes FreeRepublic look bad, which is the only reason that I respond to you... I don't want your rants to go unchallenged. What you preach is not conservatism. It's not States Rights. It is anarchy.
Secession is a viable concept that has it's own merits regardless of past attempts. Get it? The Confederate Cause? I defend the republic and little 'r' republican ideals.
Hey when I post the rebel flag do you get embarrassed?
"Rebellion is always an option" I think the FR founder uses that as a tag line. Does that embarrass you too?