> Why are Americans so emotional about that ? How is that a basic liberty ? I think it has to do with our nation's history. We never had a feudal system or a

> Why are Americans so emotional about that ? How is that a basic liberty ? I think it has to do with our nation's history. We never had a feudal system or a monarchy and fought for independence. It's a different culture. It is a basic liberty because it was set out as such as a founding principle of our nation. If you don't believe an armed populace can stop a tyrannical government, visit Vietnam or the middle east. Health insurance is regulated. Government has no business with obesity rates; are you suggesting a "right to be skinny"? America was not founded as a democracy, but as a modified republic. And spying by 3-letter agencies is horrible, unconstitutional, and ought to be stopped. I will refrain from responding to your abortion remark, as I think that falls under the "generic flamewar" prohibition of things we are not supposed to discuss, barring an original thought to contribute; and it is not relevant to the article. If you want to debate more on that score, we can do so offline; keybase info is in my profile.