[Superman]

For the record, I would not support legislation regulating the folding of toilet paper. Now that's a visual image I'm uncomfortable with. But seriously, one of the things I keep hearing is this idea that us liberals want to place a regulation on everything. This is a really important national dialogue and I'm very proud we are pursuing it here. I just want to point out that, while we liberals are in fact NOT interested in regulating everything (my most liberal friends are full-on hippies, if you get get my drift....they'd agree that over-regulation is bad), we are also not interested in characterizing government as BAD BAD BAD. Government build roads. I'd guess you're all fairly comfortable with that government role. We also provide libraries, potable water, electric power, yadda yadda. Government to me does not represent the worst in humanity, but rather the best. Yes, there are sad, even disgusting examples of bad government. But the goal is for government to work well for everyone. It is the mechanism we use to achieve goals we can agree on (at least by consensus or majority). It is not "them," unless you've checked out of the process or never were in it. It is "us."

And finally, Troy is about to experience peace and happiness that he's missed for a while. All my friends who have gone down the "simplification" road (pay off the mortgage, grow food, get a bicycle, etc) positively glow with happiness when I visit them. They are calmer and happier than the people I do business with wearing a suit and tie. Calmer and happier by a LONG SHOT. Kill your TV. Particularly if you have children. I still believe in newspapers, and teaching your kids to read and get involved.