Way to frame civil liberties debate

[Trish1168]

Most American's don't get that we have more to fear from an over powerful government than we do from terrorists. So we need to give them a simple historical perspective so they 'get it'.
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Over past 100 years or so, worldwide...

Number of dead at hands of own government: >200 million (mostly Russia and China)

Number of dead at hands of terrorists: <100,000 (this is a guess and may vary on definition of terrorist.....I need a hard number from someone)

So, who should we fear more? Government or terrorists?

Russia and China have no bill of rights for their people. We don't either, since the bill of rights must be respected in order for it to be effective. Clearly, that is not happening. So, should we worry? Absolutely!!
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Is this simple enough for people to understand?

[InaneAnanity]

1. No

Unfortunately, our country is filled with idiots. Nothing will get them to understand. Simple lies work best, and the Republicans have monopolized that market.

[EC]

2. I always ask what are the chances that they would be the

1 in 300,000,000 citizen to be killed by a terrorist? Then I say something like come on, you REALLY are afraid of terrorists? (like yeah right)

Then tell them that real people died to insure our rights, why would they spit on their graves?