@mwatsme , That's not what the 2nd amendment says. White trash militia types who don't want to work for a living spout that crap, going about cosplaying warrior patriots and seeing themselves as local warlords when they bring an end to democracy.
A patriot is one who defends his government: not tries to overthrow it when he doesn't like the idea of democracy for all. That's what a traitor does. Your idea of a "weaponized civilian milita" is the stuff of child's fantasy and contrary to what it's intended purpose is.
Get your butt in a civics class and read Washington's Militia Act of 1792. Bone up on why he passed it and you'll have a better and more accurately informed view of things.
@dadork , So it's not unpatriotic to cheat your country? We're the only developed country that didn't (until recently) give aid to families with children. What's wrong with helping children? It's proven to raise them out of poverty, give them a better chance at life, and it more than pays for itself as more will be healthy and successful.
It's not the binary choice of your premise that we either pay too little or too much and there's no middle ground. It's not a zero sum game.
It also helps defray the costs of child care so both parents can go back to work, which they have nowadays to to get ahead in life.
Would you rather have the tax breaks continue to go to the top where they just hoard it and contribute nothing in return?
All the best,
Nonoise