Or we could just argue that you're a product of one of the few social and educational systems that continues to be influenced by the political philosophies of the 19th Century.

It's not by accident that we have had multiple movements towards legal and social enfranchisement (and disenfranchisement) in the US, a pattern that isn't really mirrored elsewhere in the West. The ongoing debate as to the rights and responsibilities of citizens is a live and well in the US, despite what can be considered some serious backsliding over the last decade.

That's a massive oversimplification of Kant's influence on American behavior, but it's been 20 years since I first (and last) read his work. So any mistakes above are mine.

Three cheers for Gutenberg, the Enlightenment, public education, the humanities, the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution,the Amendments (esp. 13th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 19th, 23nd, 24th, and 26th), apple pie, the American Way.

yours,
t.

Trigger Argee
Manon, Maccadon, Orado, etc.
Denton, never leave home without it.

"This isn't exactly the Olympic Games." - Corwin of Amber