"Hide behind the Fed/Anti-Fed Papers"? Seriously? Why do you think "what George Washington delivered" and what the *other* founders agreed on and included in the design of the nation based on the discussions carried out through those very Fed/Anti-Fed Papers is different? You *do* realize that the Federalist/Anti-Federalist Papers are as close to code-comments for the Constitution as we can get, right?

It sounds like you have not invested sufficient time in learning and understanding the history of the design and theory of governance behind the US Constitution.

Until you have, there is no possibility of having a rational discussion.

Good day, sir.

Strat

Congratulations!

What a marvelous strawman you created and killed! Too bad I never said anything like that.

It was Congress who passed the Patriot Act in a rush in the first place to create this mess, and you want to give them even more ability to stampede things through without ample time for people to learn about, understand, and form opinions and advocate for or oppose legislation?

Please take the time to read the Federalist and Anti-Federalist Papers before criticizing a system you obviously do not understand.

A runaway/out-of-control Legislative branch is equally as dangerous to liberty as a runaway/out-of-control Executive or Judicial branch.

If you have a problem with the built-in safeguards against a runaway/out-of-control Congress included in the design of the US Congress by the authors of the Constitution, amend it.

Strat

Wait, I thought it was these same elected officials who authorized the "business as usual" you refer to? They were about to re-authorize the same "business as usual" when Sen. Paul filibustered, were they not? The US Freedom act which codified into law many of the provisions re: domestic surveillance, but which has been promoted as a "fix" despite that fact, was not up for a vote.

Gridlock was intentionally designed into the system as a safeguard against knee-jerk legislative responses in order that there was at least a chance that adults could rein-in such knee-jerk/runaway legislative actions.

You need to check your facts.

Again, rather than tossing accusations & insults you *really* need to check the facts and think before you embarrass yourself further.

As far as Kings and decrees go, the current occupant at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. has been doing a pretty good impression.

Strat

No, I apparently missed it. Thanks, I will investigate and if accurate, modify my opinion accordingly.

Strat

Yes, quite true.

The tone of your replies to me seems to suggest I am arguing against the things you've stated when I've made no such statements, and in fact agree that gridlock is not a bad thing, and is in fact an intentional feature meant to slow and in some cases curb legislative excesses.

Strat

Yes. Congress is typically quite industrious at violating the Constitution and destroying civil rights.

so you should be happy when congress is gridlocked or filibustered and unable to do any of those things

Yes, and...?

Was there a point here?

Strat

somehow throw a spanner in the works and cause a massive cost/delay to the government.

Are you asserting that congress would have actually gotten anything done during that time?

Yes. Congress is typically quite industrious at violating the Constitution and destroying civil rights.

I wish the partisans would STFU and realize this is a civil rights issue, not a partisan issue, for *everyone* regardless of political party, ideology, and/or religion (or lack thereof).

For those kool-ade drinkers defending the administration regarding domestic spying, do you want your political enemies to have this power to wield when they inevitably gain office?

Strat

Paranoid, much?

Those that would mistake paranoia with basic observational skills referencing events over the last 60 years are likely be on some type of 'agenda'. What some call paranoid, others are calling it 'having a big mouth', but you don't see that part now do you?

Don't bother. Just check Dave420's post history. He's drank so much of Leftist/Social Justice kool-aid that California is considering sanctioning him for the amount of water he wastes.

Strat

I'd be far more likely to trust Israeli-produced tools as opposed to anything from the Five Eyes.

Strat

Head in the sand, much?

An economic/social collapse is what those in power need to roll out martial law and complete the final stages of the "fundamental transformation of America" to a police state.

Strat

...What they mean by "export" is posting downloads or links to downloads of source code or binaries on the 'net.

Just another restriction on the communication of knowledge & free speech in the "Land of the Free".

The US I grew up in during the 1960s/'70s is dead.

Strat

Bwaahahaha!

"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything"

It's the Bart Simpson defense!

[Beetlejuice voice] And it just keeps getting funnier *every* *single* *time* I see it! [/Beetlejuice voice]

How about you just stick your fingers in your ears and go; "Lalalala, I can't hear you! Lalalala!".

Too funny!

Strat

The rich live close while the poor have to commute

It's funny that those living way out in the suburbs are "the poor".

Have you seen housing rental rates in NYC, the location the OP was talking about? Granted, in many locations it's the reverse, but the OP's point re: NYC is generally accurate.

Strat

...We first teach them basic reading, writing, math, history, and critical-thinking/problem-solving skills that are sorely lacking among HS grads?

Oh wait, can't have that! The little bastards might figure out how screwed they are by the crony-capitalist fascist oligarchy and actually be able to change the status-quot!

Strat