No Carlin, segregation was ultimately about "states rights". As I see it, Lincoln, the Kennedys and Johnson were thrown reluctantly into having to deal with segregation. Wilson was egregious in employing it but the government eventually "righted itself" in this regard as they will ultimately do with the gay issue.

McCarthy was a product of hysteria and was supported by a conservative regime under Ike but this was "righted" as more enlightened people took their place in government because the American public had sense enough to vote better people in office.

Ultimately, we are the government. They represent us and if we vote for them, they are us. Republicans remind us that this is not a pure democracy, but a republic. Still, we need to remind them that they can't buy the election by corporate welfare and lobbies. The people still count.

Frank