Mistrust of government is making America ungovernable

In other words, the American passion for absolute liberty isn’t too far removed from heedless adolescent rebellion. The “tea party” faithful might as well be Marlon Brando in his black leather jacket in “The Wild One.” “What are you rebelling against,” a girl asks the smoldering Brando. “What’ve you got?” he replies.

So, yes, there are reasons to be suspicious of government, and yes, our yearning to be “masterless” has created a culture that sends adventurers on the open road and pioneers looking for the next frontier. But it’s also making it increasingly difficult for government to function.

I’m not unsympathetic to the argument that vigilance — protest, activism, anger — is the price of freedom. But with the national government in gridlock, I’m beginning to worry that our “don’t tread on me” birthright has a deeper and darker cost.

It’s not a matter of left or right. In my mind the only difference between 1960s leftist radicals and new millennium right-wing refuseniks is the length of their hair. They both have showed a desperate need to work through their issues with old King George.