Charlie Pierce: Ammon Bundy's sympathizers in Congress are scarier than he is

[MH1]

7. The point of government is to protect individuals from exploitation by organized groups.

This applies to ANY organized group, be it the army or navy of a foreign country, a rapacious corporation, a criminal gang (oops, redundant), some hate group like neo-nazis, or this bunch.

Or government itself. Checks and balances are needed to protect us from government becoming an organization of thugs; and that is the point of democracy. It's far from perfect, but sure beats the alternatives.

Anyway that's why they remind you of Wall St. investors - one bunch of organized thugs out to exploit others, is pretty much the same as any other. They just differ in attire and tactics.