An extraordinary poll
Overall, the poll finds that 29 percent of Americans think that an armed revolution in order to protect liberties might be necessary in the next few years, with another five percent unsure. However, these beliefs are conditional on party. Just 18 percent of Democrats think an armed revolution may be necessary, as opposed to 44 percent of Republicans and 27 percent of independents.
Turning to attitudes toward the Sandy Hook shooting in December 2012, which prompted the recent debate over the need for new gun control laws, the survey finds thatoverall, a quarter (25%) of Americans think that facts about the shootings at Sandy Hookelementary last year are being hidden and an additional eleven percent are unsure
I would have asked a few supplementary questions.
Is the US military adequately funded to keep us safe?
Do you believe in constitutional rights and the application of the Geneva conventions for terrorists?
Is torture justified when there is an imminent threat?
It would be interesting to see the conflicts of interest.
If you think armed revolution might be necessary then you might just have an interest in reducing the scale of your opponent before you grab your guns and rally around watering liberty trees with your blood.
You might just want to review your ideas about the use of armed drones.
There are still ways to make our democracy work.
1] Reduce the influence of the multinational corporations, this might be easier than you think; change the funding allowed for elections. We might just get a better pool of people to choose from. Also if you don't like the way they behave, nobody is forcing you to buy their products.
2] Term limits, I know this is unpopular but nobody can convince me that in a population of 350 million we cannot find a few hundred capable people every ten years or so.
3] Stop scaring yourself silly with every conspiracy theory pumped out for personal and corporate gain.
4] Switch off the TV and go out and speak to your neighbors, you have more in common than the politicians/media would like you to believe.
5] Remember shouting loudly does not mean you are winning the argument, if subjected to shouting yourself, start laughing, or simply walk away. Especially useful when watching TV, the remote also has an off button.
6] Would you move away from someone on the bus exposing theories that ONLY they know, if so, this is a good method to apply to those in the media doing the same.
7] When someone starts attacking your fellow Americans with some very charged rhetoric [racist, sexist, fundamentalist], do you really think your neighbors are that depraved/evil?
8] Demonstrations are effective, attending town hall meeting useful, writing to your elected officials worthwhile.
We are a long way from the need for armed revolution, thankfully so.