Stan, I have to disagree with you about changing the people who run the government, particularly the federal branches. I believe America is subject to being ruled by a plutocracy, in other words wealthy people with large influence in politics. Thus, there will be no middle class men elected to POTUS and anyone who garners enough money to run a successful campaign for a high office is probably beholding to people who have an understanding of terms----if you know what I mean. I believe there are currently very few exceptions in Congress and the the Demos and Republicans will continue to fight tooth and nail to keep it that way, which is why central government control has continued to expand for generations.

There was a brief commotion recently when a major news network sponsored an event that included school children who had been directed into reciting the Pledge wihout the words, "under God". The Confederates "saluted" their flag and made no pledges to any government. They did not trust the central government in Richmond and understandably so after their experience with the Northern controlled U.S. government.