The Founding Fathers worried that some common impulse of passion might lead many to subvert the rights of the few. It's a rational fear, one that is played out endlessly.

Obama acknowledges his overreach openly every time he argues that he intends to do the job of an obstinate Republican congress.

'This is how democracy works,' Barack Obama lectured the country before giving everyone the specifics of his expansive one-man executive overreach on immigration. If you enjoy platitudinous straw men but are turned off by open debate and constitutional order, this speech was for you.

Aside from the occasional genocide, oppression, evil and torture, etc., it is inarguable that public policy could be implemented more rapidly in an autocracy.

Most nanny-state initiatives begin on a local level.

A true fascist is anyone who wants to take away my air conditioning or force me to ride a bike.

The realization that you can't predict the future -- and mold it -- could only come as a shock to an academic.