Politicians nowadays treat Americans like medical orderlies treat Alzheimer's patients, telling them anything that will keep them subdued. It doesn't matter what untruths the people are fed because they will not long remember. But in politics, forgotten falsehoods almost guarantee new treachery.

If citizens wish to retain their liberty, they cannot assume that those who seek power over them are honest. Skepticism of government is one of the most important-and most forgotten-bulwarks of freedom.

If so many Americans are looking for the government to save them, then it is hard to have a dignified search for a shepherd in chief.

As long as enough people can be frightened, then all people can be ruled. That is how it works in a democratic system and mass fear becomes the ticket to destroy rights across the board.

The more people expect from government, the more biased they become against limiting government power.

The more that voting is glorified as a panacea, the more lackadaisical people become about preserving their constitutional rights.

Once a person becomes a government dependent, his moral standing to resist the expansion of government power is fatally compromised.