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Exactly. The split is there, and the problem is that those who seek more power to do "good things" always think that they are incorruptible and that the power they give to the state will never be used against *them*.

Goldberg is correct, though, to show that this is not a one way street on a slippery slope. Technology is often liberating, and a wealthy society tends to demand more freedom. Wealth and freedom tend to go together with responsibility. It doesn't have to be much wealth. If you have accumulated enough so that you could live 6 months without anyone else's support, you have a lot more options than if you haven't.

. In near-equal portions readers agreed with the column or believed that I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue.

I am cynical enough that I think this can be translated into: "A majority of my respondents disagreed with me." Otherwise he would have said :"A sizable minority of respondents disagreed with me.