The Constitution is the check and restraint, which is ignored. We need term limits on politicians (congress, senate), as they are NOT "essential to the preservation of the nation" any more than you or I.

One patriotic policy which should be abolished is The Patriot Act. It should never have been enacted.

War is where most of our tax dollars go, not providing for the general welfare of the country.

If the "means employed" is drawing a pistol, and the "ends produced" is ending an attack ... the end justifies the means.

Rip asks, "What do we DO about demented murderers who want to kill us?" Defend yourself. That's what you DO or it may be R.I.P. for you. I train with and carry a handgun for self-defense, to be a survivor, because I refuse to be a victim. In addition to violent criminals, guns will defend you from viscous dogs, rabid raccoons, and more!

... whatever religion is not your own.

I too support the Constitution AND I support rational responses to ALL circumstances, emergency or ordinary. It was NOT rational for police to confiscate firearms from the law abiding citizens of New Orleans after Katrina, AND it was unconstitutional. It created opportunities for criminals to rob, rape and murder.

Largely fallacious? That's like being a little pregnant, a woman either is or isn't. False is false.

The Constitution is very specific, listing what our government may do. Yet, our government ignores it in favor of increasing their personal power (i.e. Kennedy).

Lincoln, the great subjugator?

This is why "...the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed." There's safety in numbers. Washington also refers to the United States as a Republic, not a democracy!

Learn about jury nullification at www.fija.org. I am part of the "well regulated Militia" of the 2nd Amendment, a typical male between 17 and 65. The Constitution speaks for raising an army only to defend our country. Instead, politicians use our "standing army" to attack countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. UNCONSTITUTIONAL. It wastes billions of dollars and, more importantly, thousands of lives (not just our citizens)! We would do better to offer a $100 million reward to locate and kill a few specific terrorists such as Bin Laden. Take out a few leaders and pull away from Middle East politics, and we will improve the security of our country for a fraction of the cost.

C/C ... explain?

You point out government infringement (camping Boy Scouts), yet "the people" don't bother to correct this injustice. People are sheep who see two similar views, republicans and democrats are different sides of the same coin. There are more than two political parties, and dozens more than two ways to view issues. Tired of "staying the course?" Vote Libertarian, regain your rights, explore real options for freedom.

It's happening and is called The Real ID Act. If you want a job, a bank account, a driver's license, or to buy anything, you'll need to have this National ID card.

People DO have the right to do what they want, provided they don't crush the rights of others. Capitalism made America great, as the greedy stepped on all opposition, like George Pullman (railroads). Every system has its share of greed, yet most people are NOT greedy. Government assumes it can stop greed by creating laws. Law abiding citizens follow it, though they are not greedy to begin with. Criminals ignore the law and are greedy anyway, like Ken Lay (Enron), because most laws do not do what is intended. You get back to "the people" by voting democratic AND republican lawmakers out of office. Neither party will improve things. Voting the "lesser of two evils" still results in evil, which says "they voted for me, so they like what I do." I vote Libertarian to send the message, "I do NOT approve of the way you are running our country."

Freedom dies in small pieces! How about "the pursuit of happiness?" For smokers that's cigarettes. What if you lost your card? Imagine craving nicotine and unable to buy a pack! LOL If you buy-in to needing a card, then you will buy-in to recording who is buying, then higher insurance rates because you smoke, then not having a job because you make others sick at work, then not having insurance because you smoke. WHERE WILL IT END? Foolish people would buy-in to all these "minor" infringements. And one day you will need to ask permission to smoke a cigarette. God help you if you've smoked your quota.

People are NOT equal, smart/stupid, tall/short, rich/poor, etc. Capitalism has nothing to do with equal, it has to do with profit, free market, private ownership. Slaves have masters who feel superior. Right on, Reston.

Oligarchy - rule by the most powerful (money, power, political). Democracy - rule by the people. It is not an oxymoron since we are truly a Republic, many people believe we are a democracy, but we are in reality an oligarchy ... our country are ruled by those with power.

We certainly have way too much government! But you are foolish to think those in government are unintelligent. Kennedy, Schumer, Feinstein and other officials are smart enough to steal our money for their own power and glory. They don't care about the people, only themselves ... wolves in sheeps clothing.

Only a socialist would would like anything about this quote. The scariest phrase is "...it must be resolved in favor of the state." How can you have individuality or free thinkers if everything is in favor of the state? Simple, you can't!

People need to be RESPONSIBLE for themselves. Teaching only through the state gets clones of the state, which is what happened in Germany ... Hitler Youth. You certainly don't get independent thinkers.

...not according to the Constitution. I wonder if Bill ever read it.

Indoctrination of our youth! It's social democracy in action. What happen to our Republic?

Regulate parenting? Totally "1984" and obvious "Big Brother." Reston, listen to yourself and how "narrow minded" you are! It is absolutely anti-American, even democratic-socialist.