The most efficient and effective form of government is totalitarian dictatorship.  In such a system, things get done.  No time is wasted on the niceties of debate and protest.  The order is given, the minions obey, and the trains run on time.  Roads and bridges get built.  So also do the prisons, which are filled to overflowing, and also the graveyards. Fortunately, our nation emerged from its roots in monarchy and, albeit imperfectly, developed a constitutional governing philosophy founded in individual rights and personal liberty.  That imperfect system is infinitely better than the brutal governments in North Korea, Iran, and Venezuela, among many others. With such a powerful, enlightened, and practical method of self-government, one might suppose that it would be spectacularly successful.  Alas, reality can disappoint.  Indeed, our Founders were not entirely optimistic.  As the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, a Mrs....(Read Full Post)