What DID the Founding Fathers really mean?

[44 AMP]

Socialism is when the government owns the means of production

Owns or controls the means of production. It is the control that makes it socialism. Several socialist governments have controlled the means of production while still allowing private ownership.

As to what the Founders really meant about the people's right to keep and bear arms, I think its pretty clear in what they wrote. If the people had the same arms as the government, being that there are many more people than any force any government could field, then no tyranny through force of arms would be possible.

To express the idea in simple numbers, say the govt sends 100 soldiers to a town of 1,000 to "ensure order" and in that town are 500 people with the same arms as the soldiers, and the will to resist. Even if it was only 300 in the town it would still be a hard fight with the odds against the govt forces.

The idea was that any would be tyrannical govt. would know this, that they were literally outnumbered by the people, who where equally well armed, and that therefore trying to impose their will through force of arms would be a losing proposition in general.

[mehavey]

As before, "Consent of the Governed" is only true when the Governed have the means to Dissent.

Many here like to quote μολὼν λαβέ .
But today, it is better to appreciate the brutally basic truth behind 枪杆子里面出政权 -- on both sides of the Governed/Government equation

[natman]

Originally Posted by mehavey

As before, "Consent of the Governed" is only true when the Governed have the means to Dissent.

Many here like to quote μολὼν λαβέ .
But today, it is better to appreciate the brutally basic truth behind 枪杆子里面出政权 -- on both sides of the Governed/Government equation

I'm going to guess: "Political power grows out of the barrel of a gun".

[mehavey]

Google is your friend
(Reading in the original makes it far more real)