[Janice D. Soderling]

David, I did not have your post specifically in mind. My comment was a reflection about the entire thread and was thunk off-screen, off-thread.

I do share your concerns about all the social ills. I am sure you are aware of that.

I think one can fight on more than one front if the army is large enough. I hate using that military terminology, but it's a fact that it is a battle, even a war and not the first "war on poverty", or "drugs war" or "fight for education, women's rights, civil rights", etc. ad absurdum in the richest, most powerful and greediest nation on earth.

It may not be the richest or most powerful for long, China is gaining, gaining, and so is India and Brazil. Two of them have the unthinkable, the bomb.

The only way to stay ahead, maybe even the only way to stay afloat, is to utilize the country's entire human resources reserve, give every child in present and coming generations access to a decent living standard, a decent health standard, a safe living environment, and an education that will allow them to support themselves and make a contribution.

A child deprived of protein in its formative years will have irreparable brain damage and that is a fact for huge chunks of the third world today, and appallingly also for many children in the US. As a teacher, you will be aware of this, so I needn't tell you.

Capitalism, as it functions today, raw, greedy capitalism, with its hedge funds and consumer ideology and soft drink machines in schools but no free lunches, will NEVER willingly provide that for the fringes, it won't even provide jobs for the the educated population.

I could rant for pages, but I won't. I've ranted enough in this thread.

A concerned citizenry can make a miracle happen.

One more thing concerning the second amendment and the founding fathers. I am curious to know what "militia" meant at the time of the writing of that amendment.

Modern dictionaries refer to militia as "an army of soldiers who are civilians but take military training and can serve full-time during emergencies" but back in 1791 that is all there was.

The US now does not need a pistol-packing militia. In 1791, the new nation did not have a standing army and was required to rely on armed citizens to protect it. But now, NOW there is a professional army filled from the bottom classes with kids seeking an education or a job, the nation has a massive military budget and technological weapons such as drones and see in the dark goggles.

The second amendment has served its purpose and is as out-of-date as the pre-tractor mules. Second amendment groupies are as ignorant as flat-earthers.

I said I wouldn't rant...