Thanks, Hugh! Just a few days ago I was explaining the Maginot Line to my wife, both as a historical event and a political concept as something that only provides an expensive illusion of security. The TSA & Watch Lists are perfect analogies.

"The problems with the post office are not with it's business model, union contracts, or even rural offices. The problem has always been with congress that has absolute veto power over anything the Post Office wants to implement." it's not 'either/or', it's both. their business model sucks, their union contracts suck, far too many under-utilized post offices suck, and every time they even think about changing anything, no matter how minor, Congress stymies them. top to bottom, side to side, back to front, they need a complete overhaul, which should include massive privatization. as just one tiny example: should mail carriers be pulling down $60,000+ (w/ bennies & retirement) for a job you could train a 'C' student to do in a week?

yes, Joe, no doubt that happens, but it doesn't mean we should force EVERY PARENT & CHILD into the one-size-fits-all government monopoly because some people do not make sound decisions.

actually, Nos, i've heard liberals argue that education is "too important to entrust to the private sector". that's right, that evil capitalist system that gave us everything from computers to jets to abundant food is somehow incapable of teaching little Johnny how to read & add. something THAT IMPORTANT needs to be left to the folks who brought us the post office, et. al... "Liberal Logic" puts the 'moron' in oxymoron...

from your keyboard to God's monitor, Kurt, but i just don't see that much reason for optimism. as has been observed, we can survive 8 yrs of this incompetent idiot in the White House, but can we survive having 50+% of the populace who would consider him a suitable leader? we're on a seesaw that's only tipping about 3 degrees either way...

in a nation of 300 million+, we can afford to take our chances that someone of decent character will fill the inevitable voids. also, the game is so rigged for incumbents that glibly relying on the voters to turn out the bad apples is folly. the US Congress has less turnover than the old Soviet politburo.

that's an insult to drunken Welsh coal miners.

i saw all this 20 yrs ago when i proudly 'scabbed' during a teachers' strike in Denver. i could write a short book on what i experienced in that week, both in and out of the classroom...

Charles Murray called this one over 25 yrs ago.

and just so we're clear, even IF someone figured out a way to completely disarm criminals, i still have no interest in being stabbed, clubbed, or otherwise assaulted or put at the mercy of a violent thug not bearing a firearm. i don't care if he's armed with nothing more than a closed fist, i will ALWAYS retain my right & ability to shoot the SOB. that goes double for my wife.