The realization appeared like the sun at long last peeking from the edge of a black cloud. You can call it tyranny, despotism, oppression or persecution – even terrorism. On a global scale, tyrants obliterate the weak and fearful. On a schoolyard, bullies abuse the meek and timid. But the venue isn’t the issue, is it? No, the realization is that all forms of tyranny – from dictatorships to organized crime to neighborhood gangs — operate under the identical model. It’s called extortion. The toughs visit storeowners and “offer” protection for a fee. Mafia organizations “persuade” city officials that they are best equipped to handle essential services. The Federal Government, in its benign munificence, decides it will “help” uplift the fate of Mankind by assuring that all citizens share in the Nation’s wealth. Comparing a democratically elected government to the Mafia surely is a baseless, if not slanderous, accusation. You should be ashamed, even condemned for the implication. Comparing hundreds of members of Congress to hoodlums goes beyond the pale of civil discussion. Anyway, criminals – hoodlums — use force to confiscate your wealth; they tell you what you must give and what you must do. Surely, the Federal Government doesn’t invade your liberty and garnish your wages at the point of a gun. Surely not. Surely, all the Federal Government does is control what it must to make life fair for everyone. Some decisions are just too important to be left to American citizens – decisions about health, about education, about energy, about housing and about gun control. In fact, on your behalf and for your protection, the Federal Government must rightly take control of certain private businesses. You must realize that government can’t provide protection in all of these vital areas without having the resources – your money – to do a proper job. If you leave all these decisions to individual Americans, the country inevitably would flounder and millions would suffer. You see, then, that comparing Washington to Organized Crime is only true in the sense that both offer protection using your money. You must concede that Organized Crime and other gangs use coercion, corruption, bribes, intimidation and even physical violence. That can’t be true of your elected leaders. You admit that many of them are known to be guilty of perjury, tax fraud, adultery, bribery, plagiarism, malfeasance in office and other such human failings; but you’re confident they would never condone violence or threat of violence. Then, as the cloud passes by, you see more clearly and remember the conversation between The Godfather’s Michael Corleone and his beloved Kay:
MICHAEL
I’m working for my father now, Kay. He’s been sick — very sick.
KAY
But you’re not like him, Michael. I thought you weren’t going to become a man like your
Father. That’s what you told me…
MICHAEL
My father’s no different than any other powerful man — (then, after Kay laughs)
— any man who’s responsible for other people, like a senator or a president.
KAY
You know how naive you sound?
MICHAEL
Why?
KAY
Senators and presidents don’t have men killed…
MICHAEL
Oh – (now) who’s being naïve, Kay?

In case you haven’t noticed, you’ve been had. You, being you, enlightened and savvy, above the fray, reject that assertion out of hand. Yeah, sure, nobody can lay any blame at your feet. As the divinely inspired American experiment slides into the abyss, you’re confident the descent has little or nothing to do with you. Anyway, you won’t be around to see the outcome, just as the Founders couldn’t survive to see what became of their historic courage and passionate sacrifice. Just as the tens of thousands lying at Normandy and all across the globe couldn’t survive to know that their last full measure of devotion was wasted on generations devoted to self-gratification, corruption and ignorance. On March 21, 2010, you remembered the term “the enemy within.” That’s the day when 219 traitorous citizens, empowered by your vote, trashed The Constitution. These are the Congressmen you elected to uphold one lofty ideal – to support, protect and preserve your most sacred treasure. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; (and) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same . . .” (laugh or cry here). Who are these people? They are your sanctioned leaders who have robbed you of the very freedom they vowed to protect. Are you through laughing? They are bureaucrats who, with your approval, have won the lottery — a lifetime of wealth and privilege paid for by you and those yet unborn. They are slugs who create nothing, produce nothing and contribute nothing. They are nobodies compared to the farmer, the mechanic, the businessman, the craftsman, the physician, the homemaker and other individuals who live purpose-driven lives. Yet you allow them to dishonor the memory of those who gave everything to see that tyranny would never visit this land. And now that tyranny is here, you understand that America’s real threat was never ruin from without, but rot from within.

While the holiday spirit still hangs in the air, the American people should badger their elected officials to get serious about Affirmative Action. Despite hundreds, if not thousands, of lawsuits filed on behalf of minorities and other special interest groups, little progress has been made to level the playing field in a country that still discriminates. The best way to assure equality in all walks of life is to apply a formula — simple and enforceable — one that forever will eliminate subjectivity and fuzzy guidelines. Here’s a shrewd plan that’s eminently fair: Apportion all jobs, posts, assignments and other positions based on the national census. If you will, let’s call it Census Cleansing. For example, 12 percent of all citizens are Black. Under this plan dedicated to total justice, the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team would have 2 Black players. The rest of the roster would consist of 2 Hispanic, 10 White and 1 Asian. The Dallas Cowboys football team would take the field with 42 Whites, 7 Hispanics, 7 Blacks and 4 Asians. Why has it taken so long for us to put teeth into true Affirmative Action? This solution is destined for acclaim. In fact, it should be ratified as the 28th Amendment to the Constitution. No doubt, some malcontents will condemn this brilliant idea as an affront to Liberty. They will offer the same tired arguments — weak, emotional pleas about the sanctity of talent, the worth of experience, the fairness of qualifications. Inconceivably, these people refuse to admit that all persons are not created equal. That some are born with greater physical gifts, mental acuity and economic advantages. That some are born to families that give them an edge, while others are abused and disadvantaged. We must mitigate these inequalities with adoption of CAAA — the Census Affirmative Action Amendment. Under this humanitarian plan, the University of Michigan would mandate that 12 percent of its student body and faculty must be Black. (Goodbye, controversy). Only 24 of the 32 National Football League head coaches could be White. The black robes of the Supreme Court would cloak only 8.4 Whites. Would CAAA leave behind deserving individuals? Certainly. But society as a whole will benefit as we give the disadvantaged a chance to develop. For instance, of the top 150 professional golfers, 6 should be Asian and 18 should be Black. That is not the case now nor can it be unless we make it happen. On the other hand, since Tiger Woods is both Asian and Black, maybe we’re better off to leave well enough alone.