The portents in the direction of eventual fiscal collapse, if nothing is changed in regard current programs and the spendthrift behaviours of Congress, are not encouraging.
This is not the fault of government as government does that which comes naturally to it, grow and become more burdensome.
The fault, where such can be attributed, must be laid directly at the doorstep of the American people. For only the electorate are, in the ultimate analysis. those responsible for final oversight of what this nation's Republic becomes.
The condition upon which God hath given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; which condition if he break, servitude is at once the consequence of his crime and the punishment of his guilt."
-John Philpot Curran: Speech upon the Right of Election, 1790. (Speeches. Dublin, 1808.)
http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=10714Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are a gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just; that His justice cannot sleep forever.
Thomas Jefferson
Notes on the State of Virginia (1781-1785) Query 18“A general dissolution of principles and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of America than the whole force of the common enemy. While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; but when once they lose their virtue they will be ready to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal invader.”
--- Samuel Adams
This is supposed to be fun.
Hmm, looked up the rules of the site, didn't find that one there.
I did, however, find a statement of rather serious purpose in creating this website by JR.
I will submit that there is an unstated understanding that one should at least attempt to avoid the use of the tradition of dueling to settle points at issue.