[djloche]

The existence of an armed, trained civilian population prevents the current government from going completely insane with the vast power they've thus far been allowed to take and selectively abuse.

I'd love to see the people take some of the power back without a bloody, internal war.

[jbmorgado]

"The existence of an armed, trained civilian population prevents the current government from going completely insane with the vast power they've thus far been allowed to take and selectively abuse."

Yes, that's why basically all Europe lives in a dictatorship now-a-days due to our gun control laws.

[blakes]

Hey, you never know.

Also, I'll bet the American government is a lot more afraid of the people than most European governments are of their people. I suppose that could be argued either way to be a good or a bad thing.

[pnut]

I disagree.

I bet the French government is more afraid of their people than the American government is.

The French people shut down their economy and raise holy hell when the government starts acting contrary to their interests.

The Americans mumble some crap about 2nd Amendment rights online, and then fire up steam or crack a beer.

[Daishiman]

I don't see people going on general strike, boycotting entire state agencies or even going out to protest massively

[return0]

That american idea can only hold ground in the US, a country that has not experienced an external threat or revolution since its inception. The world's revolutions started from relatively unarmed people. Once the flame is ignited, and the socioeconomic conditions fan the flame, there is little chance a government can stop it.