[Robert A Cook PE]

Concur.

To wax poetic for a moment, it seems that before the "Frontier" was "closed" in hte last years of the 19th century, there ALWAYS was a "way out" -

Literally, you could "Go West" and be free. To escape tyranny, or to start your life over. Or just to escape your neighbors, as Danial Boone and Crockett did several times as they moved west.

America (with only one exception!) was settled ENTIRELY by people of all races (the first Americans faced the Siberian winters to cross tundra and settle here!) who VOLUNTARILY LEFT their hoems and their previous lives to GO to a place where they could improve their lives: for themselves, and their children. We are most familiar with the European immigrants who gave up "security" and their families and the comforts of home to "Come to America" and better their lives. But EVERY immigrant faced (and overcame!) those same fears of the unknown, of the terrors of an international voyage, of leaving family and tradition and security.

But the Chinese and Irish who built railroads and farms did the same. As did the Pilgrim farmer, the English and German shopkeepers and Italian businessmen and the Spanish farmers in Texas and California and the French fur traders who pushed across Canada and the North seeking their fortunes.

In other mammals, those who breed dogs, cats, horses and livestock find it takes only six generations for a "new breed" to be developed from old stock. Equally, you can "breed" out any particular trait in only six generations, and the seventh and future generation will show only traces of the original pattern, color, or style.

We are seeing that trend now. Our sedentary lifestyle and a fast-growing trend towards the "Old World's" lifestyle of "security" and "conformity" and "socialism" beginning now at the third and fourth generation are forsaking the courage of those original immmigrants who sought "freedom!" and "liberty for all" and "the pursuit of happiness" above the baby blanket of "security for all" and the pleasures of immediate gratification.

[xsmommy]

wow, robt. good observations.

[hobbes1]

While a salient observation, the point should be made that the Old World, did not embrace Socialism, until After WW1.

BEFORE the problem of Government Confiscation of Private wealth,(Republican Democratic Governments) Governments (monarchical) only took in roughly 5% of GDP in taxes....

Something to consider...

[hobbes1]

BEFORE the problem of Government Confiscation of Private wealth,(Republican Democratic Governments) Governments (monarchical) only took in roughly 5% of GDP in taxes....

Directly, that is why People were so much more likely to revolt violently against Taxes. They were going to a centrally identifiable "Them" not some ephemeral good for "Us"....

[Gabz]

Scary thoughts, aren't they????

[Argh]

Excellent, Robt.

[lds23]

I remember back in the 60's the biggest drive from the left was to take over the schools. That's how you get the next generation and the next...