It's all really very simple: does government trust its citizens? If it ever gets to the point where it does, things may change for the better. If, on the other hand, government continues down the road to over-regulation of every facet of its citizens' lives, then we are on the road to ruin and nothing will stop us.
It all comes down to the old bumper sticker which says:
FEAR THE GOVERNMENT WHICH FEARS YOUR GUN
No, they don't trust us. The feeling's mutual.
I think we're on the same side of the arguement.
It just frosts me every time I read of States or governments granting "rights". Wait'll they license breathing 'rights'.