Well I’m all for engaging with people who have unconventional opinions! I know there’s a bit of a taboo against that sort of thing these days, but I quite enjoy it. Even if no one walks away from the table having changed their minds, I find it’s a very healthy exercise most of the time.

But also, after reading this post from you, I think I better understand your feelings about government. I viewed the 2016 election as both a backlash against progressive authoritarianism and a rebuke of the neoconservative policies of Bush. It never occurred to me to try and place it in the deeply historical context you’ve provided, but I have to admit that what you say makes a good deal of sense and has me reconsidering my conclusions.

And that’s precisely why I enjoy these types of civil exchanges. You’ve raised some really intriguing points that I hadn’t considered previously, and I’m definitely going to have to give them some serious thought.