And I have made an extensive study of history, thank you.
As for proof, I can only point to the South's actions.
- The Fugitive Slave Law, which the South forced on the North via it's excessive *Federal* political power.
- The Dred Scott Decision, which legalized slavery *everywhere*.
- South Carolina's threats against the Commonwealth of Kentucky when Kentucky called a constitutional convention to consider outlawing slavery within its own borders.
To the person who brought up Ft. Sumter - Ft. Sumter belonged to the Federal Gov't. Supplying the garrison there was in no way an act of aggression on the Gov't's part. S. Carolina was the aggressor there.
Don't point me your links, I prefer to get my history from the original sources, not predigested. Unless it's a link to an original source, of course.
The fact that so many Southerners fail to own up to our own responsibility for the CW is one of our many faults, and one of the reasons for our continued divide. I don't say that everything the North did was right, because it wasn't, not by a long shot. But I'd rather look to cleaning up my own house first.
As for modern day Socialism, if you intend to collect Social Security or Medicare when you retire, or if you already do, and you call healthcare reform a Socialist program, then I can only shake my head.