Well, I don't know about your radar, but mine just picked up a solid contact, and it's closing fast.

Don't you think I want effective, but minimal government?
Don't you think I want a minimum of goverment regulation? Maximum personal freedom? Low taxes, safety, security, justice, all those things you want? But because I don't want them the same way you want them, or define those rights the same way you do I'm either mistaken or misled, or worse?

What arrogance Tom, what audacity, do you really think I am incapable of recognizing what I want and doing what I need to do to get it, and that you know better than I how to achieve those things for me? Do you have any idea how patronizing that is, how insulting? Why would I want anyone who viewed my opinions in such contempt making any decisions that govern my life? Why should I even pay attention to anything they have to say except perhaps to take warning?

Human freedom, choice, liberty, we're all entitled to our feelings about this, but no one is going to be listened to seriously to if he dismisses every feeling not identical to his as being somehow perverted. As for what our 18th century ancestors devised, I don't see why I should accept your interpretation of their ideas uncritically, and I don't see why I should be expected to follow them slavishly either, as long as I institute my changes constitutionally and through the mechanisms they set up, as amended by what later generations felt was necessary. Who are you to tell me my ideas of Federalism are inferior to yours? Maybe I don't give a damn about Federalism, did that ever occur to you? Where in the Bible does it say I need to give a damn about Federalism? And why should I care what you think about what I think about it.

What's it to you, anyway? If you don't like what the people and legislature and courts have done, you are free to change them, working through the system, but if they don't fall in line with your ideas that is just too bad. There's a lot about the system I don't care for either, and I bitch about it and work to change it, but I've learned to live with it. I have exactly as much right to interpret the Constitution as you do. How dare you tell me otherwise? I am a free man, Tom. I am not your employee.

You are going to have to get it straight, people don't disagree with you out of spite, or because of some conspiracy. Maybe they just don't want to live in the world you want. They certainly don't want someone like you in charge of it. Maybe they just think you are not right, and that you are not in the right, either. And even if they are mistaken, they have every right to feel the way they do.

I have to share this country with people like you, and a lot of other crazies, too, because I have chosen to accept the system of political intercourse that allows us to argue peacefully and compete with our ideas. I don't expect you to believe the same as I do, that is what a democracy is all about, but I expect some respect for my views. I have morals, I have ethics, I have intelligence and education and responsibility and I have a sense of civic duty. Who the hell are you to lecture me about freedom, choice, human dignity? That is infuriating!

I'll tell you a secret. I'm probably not the only one who doesn't agree with the way you think things ought to be set up, either. Some of them are probably smarter than you. Some are probably even better, and more decent men. I learned that for myself a long time ago, I think you're going to have to get used to it too.