Maybe you've all seen this sticker,

[yy4me]

It was handed out last night at the vigil.


I LOVE MY COUNTRY
BUT
I FEAR MY GOVERNMENT


Says it all, doesn't it?

[ironman202]

1. mostly, I've seen that on militia type pick up trucks

[TahitiNut]

3. I've never regarded the "message" as invalid ...

... even when I regarded the messenger's reaction to be extreme at the time. Timing is everything. :shrug:

[ironman202]

5. well Im offended by it

The government is us. At least it was prior to Nov. 3, 2000. I don't fear the government. American government is a force for good. I believe on our country and our institutions. We just have to wrest they back from the cretins that are currently in power.

[atreides1]

6. I'm not it has become true.

Like you stated, prior to 11-03-00, we the people were the government. And while the intent for the American government was to be a force of good, its history is stained in blood, the blood of the Native Americans, Hawaiians, Filipinos, Blacks, and Asians.

And that blood was shed for territorial gain and the benefit of the
Robber Barons and corrupt government officials, and the American people of the time didn't have a problem with it.

If we're going to point out something, at least be historically accurate about its failings as well as its success.

Wresting our government back will not be easy and may very well lead to bloodshed.

[TahitiNut]

7. As long as the public regards themselves as spectators ...

... the government is no more "us" than the Detroit Lions are their fans. Democracy isn't a spectator sport -- but the US is no longer a democracy. The last remnant (voting) is critically wounded. Public participation in National Service went away with the closure of CCC Camps and elimination of the draft. The Constitutional limits on the powers of federal government have been all but eliminated by a whole panoply of acts, including the P.A.T.R.I.O.T. Act and this Regime's abolition of any recognition of HUMAN rights for "aliens."

The Founders "feared" government and reflected that well-founded 'fear' in the Constitution. As a liberal who eschews the current perversion of the term "libertarian," I have been appalled at the authoritarianism on both 'sides' of the political (linear) spectrum. The very mechanisms of POWER that "liberals" helped build are now being used as weapons against them. This has been my misgiving for nearly 40 years.

[phillinweird247]

8. segragation, eugenics programs,displacement of native peoples,....

Use of nuclear weapons,FEMA,CIA toppling democraticly elected governments,war on drugs,patriot act,militarization of our police forces,5% of the worlds population/25% of the world prison population(land of the free?)
basicly the US government is the face of hypocrisy. I would say that sums it up perfectly.

I love my country but fear my government

[KansDem]

9. I'm with you...

Subtly, the neo-cons could sway public opinion regarding "Government" to their liking. For decades we've heard about "Government" and how evil it is from Freepers (ie, Tim McVeigh and Grover Norquist). Now that the Bush Family is in control of the "Government" many progressives/liberals/independents/etc are seeing "Government" as "evil." In reality, though, it is the Bush Family that is evil. I'm constantly differentiating between "Government" as in FDR's "New Deal" and "Bush Family," as in the traitorous criminals who now control the "Government." I hope others are doing the same, lest we begin to agree with the Freepers about "Government."

[ewagner]

2. One I saw for the first time

last night was on the back of a van with Clark '08 and Doyle stickers next to it.

It read:

If you can't say something nice about the President,

COME SIT NEXT TO ME!

[ironman202]

13. the current resident is not the US Government...

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

4. LOve it !

Where can one get one?

Someone brought American flags to the vigil last night. Another person commented told her that she thought it was a great idea and wished she had thought of doing the same. The gal with the flags said proudly, "I love my country" - that is why she was at the vigil.. wearing her "I hate O'Reilly tee shirt"

[yy4me]

10. A woman in her 70's was handing them out,

I have no idea where she got the them. She ran out, didn't expect so many to want them. One woman stuck the sticker to her shirt! Just did a Google of the total words, lots of sites where the slogan is available as stickers, on shirts, etc.

[gasperc]

11. rightwingers drove around with it in the 90's

oh how the tables have turned

[Dawgs]

12. Not specific enough...

A freeper could put that on his car. It doesn't say who they are fearing.

How bout'

I LOVE MY COUNTRY
BUT
I FEAR THIS ADMINISTRATION

I still don't like it, but it is more specific.