I'd like to think that as a vocal person, as an occasional voter, as a sometime letter writer, and as a teacher, my impact on my "democratic" form of government is made, and felt.  It isn't.

I'd like to think that the police across the vast country of America are like Sheriff Andy and Deputy Fife, with a single bullet tucked away in a vest pocket, and reason and respect ruling the day.  That's a fantasy in 2014.

I'd like to think that the 14th Amendment was well intentioned, and wouldn't be abused to centralize the federal government any further.  That's incorrect.

I'd like to think that the presidents are elected by small-r republicans, who understand what self-government might mean, and are in agreement that money doesn't grow on a tree in Washington, DC.  They aren't!